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Recollections of a Confederate 
Staff Officer 



\ 





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RECOLLECTIONS 



:OF A: 



CONFEDERATE 
STAFF OFFICER 



BY 

Gen. G. MOXLEY SORREL 

Lieutenant' Colonel and Chief of Staff, Longs treet's ist 
-^rmy Corps; Brigadier-General commanding SorrePs 
\ Brigade, A. P. HUP s jd Army Corps, 
Army of Northern Virginia 



WITH INTRODUCTION BY 
Senator JOHN W. DANIEL 



NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON 

THE NEALE PUBLISHING COMPANY 
i9o5 



U8RAf?Yof iOmH<:fiS 
Two Duptey rttiUAvtfu 

AUti 2 1905 

aopyri«rii ui(f> 









Copyright, 1905 
By The Neale Publishing Company 



TO MY WIFE 

This Volume is affectionately 

DEDICATED 

In illness and tedious convalescence it was she who 

suggested these reminiscences of the past, as a 

solace, giving me cheerful encouragement and 

material assistance in their preparation, for 

which my grateful thanks are ever hers. 



Recollections of a Confederate 
Staff Officer 



CONTENTS 



Chapter. Page. 

Introduction il 

I. Battle of Manassas, July 21, 1861 19 

II. After Manassas at Centerville 31 

III. Reminiscences and Horses 40 

IV. Sketches 49 

V. Our National Hymn 57 

VI. The Peninsula and Battle of Williamsburg, May 

5, 1862 62 

VII. Battle of Seven Pines, May 31, 1862 68 

VIII. Battles of the Chickahominy, June 26 to July 2, 

1862 ^z 

IX. Rivalry and More Reminiscences 85 

X. Second Battle of Manassas, August 29 and 30, 

1862 93 

XI. Battles of South Mountain (Boonsboro Gap) 
and Sharpsburg (Antietam) September 14 

and 17, 1862 102 

XII. Battle of Sharpsburg, Continued 109 

XIII. Battle of Sharpsburg, Concluded 115 

XIV. Our Personnel — Visitors 120 

XV. The Staff 125 

XVI. Events Preceding Fredericksburg 130 

XVII. Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862... 138 

XVIII. After Fredericksburg — Reminiscences 14S 

XIX. To South Virginia for Supplies I53 

XX. Preparing for Gettysburg 159 

XXI. Battle of Gettysburg, July i, 2, 3, 1863. , 166 

XXII. Gettysburg Aftermath 177 

XXIII. In Virginia Again 183 

XXIV. Longstreet to Reinforce Bragg 188 

XXV. Battle of Chickamauga, September 20, 1863 192 



CONTENTS 

Chapter. Page. 

XXVI. Chattanooga — Incidents 199 

XXVII. The East Tennessee Campaign, November, 

1863, to April, 1864 208 

XXVIII. The East Tennessee Campaign, Continued 216 

XXIX. At Home in Savannah — Sketches 225 

XXX. Battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864 233 

XXXI. Coincidences — Longstreet's Successor 246 

XXXII. Battle of Spottsylvania C. H., May 10 and 12, 

and Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864 251 

XXXIII. The siege of Petersburg, June, 1864, to March, 

1865 262 

XXXIV. Longstreet's Return— Farewell to Lee 274 



INTRODUCTION 

BY 

John W. Daniel 

Formerly Major and Assistant Adjutant-General 
Early's Division, Seeond Corps, A. N. V. 

A few months ago I entered a room where a group 
of five or six gentlemen were seated around a table 
in conversation. As I took my seat to join them, 
one of the number, a distinguished Northern Sena- 
tor, of high cultivation and who is a great reader 
of history, made this remark to his companions; 
"The Army of Northern Virginia was in my opin- 
ion the strongest body of men of equal numbers 
that ever stood together upon the earth.'' As an 
ex-Confederate soldier I could not feel otherwise 
than pleased to hear such an observation from a 
gentleman of the North who was a student of mili- 
tary history. As the conversation continued there 
seemed to be a general concurrence in the opinion 
he stated, and I doubt if any man of intelligence 
who would give sedate consideration to the subject, 
would express a different sentiment. 

The Army of the Potomac, the valiant and power- 
ful antagonist of the Army of Northern Virginia, 
was indeed of much larger numbers, and better 
equipped and fed; but it would have nevertheless 
failed but for its high qualities of soldiership which 
are by none more respected than by their former 
foes. Both armies were worthy of any steel that 
was ever forged for the business of war, and when 
General Grant in his "Memoirs" describes the meet- 



12 INTRODUCTION v 

ing after the surrender of the officers of both side/s§ 
around the McLean House, he says that they seem^ ^;d 
to *'enjoy the meeting as much as though they hc^^id 
been friends separated for a long time while fighting > 
battles under the same flag." He prophesied in his 
last illness that "we are on the eve of a new era 
when there is to be great harmony between the 
Federal and Confederate." 

That era came to meridian when the Federal Gov- 
ernment magnanimously returned to the States of 
the South the captured battle-flags of their regi- 
ments. The story of the war will be told no longer 
at soldiers' camp-fires with the feelings of bygone 
years, or with even stifled reproach, but solely with 
a design to cultivate friendship and to unfold the 
truth as to one of the most stupendous conflicts of 
arms that ever evoked the heroism of the human 
race. 

"Recollections of a Confederate Staff Oflicer," 
by Brigadier-General G. Moxley Sorrel, of the 
Army of Northern Virginia, is a valuable contri- 
bution to this great history. Its author received 
his "baptism of fire" in the First Battle of Manas- 
sas, July 21, 1 86 1, while serving on the staff of 
Brigadier-General James Longstreet as a volunteer 
aid, with the complimentary rank of captain. 

The forces under General Beauregard at Bull Run 
were known at that time as "The Army of the Poto- 
mac." The name of the antagonist of the Federal 
"Army of the Potomac" was soon changed to the 
"Army of Northern Virginia" ; and Longstreet, the 
senior brigadier, became major-general and then 
lieutenant-general. 

Sorrel followed the fortunes of his chief, serving 
as adjutant-general of his brigade, division, and 
corps, with rank successively as captain, major, and 
lieutenant-colonel, and distinguished himself many 



INTRODUCTION 13 

times by his gallantry and efficiency. During the 
siege of Petersburg the tardy promotion which he 
had long deserved and for which he had been time 
and again recommended, came to him and he suc- 
ceeded Brigadier-General Girardey, a gallant soldier 
who had been killed in battle, as commander of a 
brigade in Mahone's division, A. P. Hill's Third 
Corps. 

When promoted he showed the right spirit by 
making a faithful and brave courier his aide-de- 
camp. As a general, as well as while on the staff. 
Sorrel often had his "place in the picture by the 
flashing of the guns." At Sharpsburg he leaped 
from his horse, with Fairfax, Goree, Manning, and 
Walton, of Longstreet's staff, to serve as cannoneers 
at the guns of the Washington Artillery, whose 
soldiers had been struck down. While he was carry- 
ing a message to a brigade commander his horse 
was shot under him, and still later on the same 
field a fragment of a shell struck him senseless and 
he was for a while disabled. He passed through the 
maelstrom of Gettysburg, here and there upon that 
field of blood ; the hind legs of his horse were swept 
away by a cannon ball, and at the same time he and 
Latrobe, of Longstreet's staff, were carrying in their 
arms saddles taken from horses slain under them. 

At the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, he was at 
the side of his chief when that officer was badly 
wounded, and when General Jenkins, of South Caro- 
lina, and Captain Dobie of the staff were killed. 
He won his general's wreath that day, although it 
was some time before it reached him. At the crisis 
when Longstreet's corps was going to the rescue 
he was entrusted with marshalling three brigades 
to flank the advancing forces of General Hancock. 
Moving forward with the line of the Twelfth Vir- 
ginia Infantry, of Mahone's brigade, he endeavored 



14 INTRODUCTION 

to take its colors as it advanced to the onset, but Ben 
May, the stout-hearted standard-bearer, refused him 
that honor and himself carried them to victory. 
When this battle was over General Lee saluted him 
as "General Sorrel." 

He was wounded in the leg while commanding 
his brigade on the right of the Confederate line 
near Petersburg ; and again he was shot in the lungs 
at Hatcher's Run in January, 1865, the same action 
in which fell the brave General John Pegram, then 
commanding Early's old division. 

During the illness resulting from this wound, 
General Sorrel was cared for by relatives in Roa- 
noke County, Virginia, and having recovered suffi- 
ciently returned to the field. He was in Lynchburg, 
Virginia, on his way back to his command when the 
surrender at Appomattox ended the career of the 
Army of Northern Virginia. 

Scarcely any figure in that army was more famil- 
iar to its soldiers than that of General Sorrel, and 
certainly none more so to the soldiers of the First 
Corps. Tall, slender, and graceful, with a keen 
dark eye, a trim military figure, and an engaging 
countenance, he was a dashing and fearless rider, 
and he attracted attention in march and battle by 
his constant devotion to his duties as adjutant- 
general, and became as well known as any of the 
commanders. 

General Sorrel has not attempted a military his- 
tory. He has simply related the things he saw and 
of which he was a part. He says of his writings, 
"that they are rough jottings from memory with- 
out access to any data or books of reference and 
with little attempt at sequence." What his book 
will therefore lack in the precision and detail as to 
military strategy or movement, will be compensated 
for by the naturalness and freshness which are 



INTRODUCTION 15 

found in the free, picturesque, and salient character 
of his work. 

General Sorrel was of French descent on his 
father's side. His grandfather, Antoine Sorrel Des 
Revieres, had been a colonel of engineers in the 
French Army, and afterwards held estates in San 
Domingo, from which he was driven by the insur- 
rection of the negroes in the early part of the nine- 
teenth century. He then moved to Louisiana. 

His father, Francis Sorrel, became a successful 
business man in Savannah, Georgia, and his mother 
was a lady of Virginia. If he inherited from one 
those distinctively American qualities which were 
so attractive in his character, we can but fancy 
that he inherited in some degree at least from his 
sire the delicate touch with the pen which is so char- 
acteristic of the French. They have written more 
entertaining memoirs than any other people, and 
this memoir of General Sorrel is full of sketches, 
incidents, anecdotes, and of vivid portraitures and 
scenes which remind the reader no little of the mili- 
tary literature of the French. 

No military writer has yet undertaken to produce 
a complete history of either the Army of the Poto- 
mac or the Army of Northern Virginia. Indeed, 
it has scarce been practicable to write such a history. 
The rolls of the two armies have not yet been pub- 
lished, and while the War Records have furnished 
a great body of most valuable matter and there are 
many volumes of biography and autobiography 
which shed light on campaigns and battles, the 
deposit of historical material will not be finished 
before the whole generation who fought the war 
has passed from earth. This volume will be useful 
to the historian in giving him an insight to the 
very image and body of the times. It will carry 
him to the general's headquarters and from there 



16 INTRODUCTION 

to the picket-line; from the kitchen camp-fire and 
baking-oven to the hospital and ordnance wagon; 
from the devices of the commissary and quarter- 
master to the trenches in the battlefield; from the 
long march to the marshalled battle line; from the 
anxieties of the rear-guard of the retreat to the stern 
array of the charging columns. He will find some 
graphic accounts of leading characters, such as 
Longstreet, Ewell, D. H. Hill, A. P. Hill, Jeb 
Stuart, Early, Anderson, Mahone, Van Dorn, Polk, 
Bragg, and many others who shone in the lists of 
the great tourney. The private soldier is justly 
recognized, and appears in his true light all along 
the line, of which he was the enduring figure. Lee, 
great and incomparable, shines as he always does, 
in the endearing majesty of his matchless character 
and genius. 

General Sorrel's book is written in the temper and 
spirit which we might expect of the accomplished 
and gallant soldier that he was. It is without ran- 
cor, as he himself declares, and it is without dispo- 
sition unduly to exalt one personage or belittle 
another. It bespeaks the catholic mind of an honest 
man. It tells things as he saw them, and he was 
one who did his deed from the highest and purest 
motives. 

The staff of the Army of Northern Virginia (of 
which G. M. Sorrel, assistant adjutant-general, was 
a bright, particular star) was for the most part 
an improvised affair, as for the most part was the 
whole Confederate Army, and indeed the Federal 
Army was almost as much so. It showed, as did 
the line of civilians turned quickly into soldiers, the 
aptitude of our American people for military ser- 
vice and accomplishment. Even the younger offi- 
cers of military training were needed in armies of 
raw and inexperienced recruits for many commands. 



INTRODUCTION 17 

The staff had to be made up for the most part of 
alert young men, some of them yet in their teens, 
and it is remarkable that they were so readily found 
and so well performed their duties. 

At twenty-two years of age Sorrel was a clerk 
in a Savannah bank, and a private in a volunteer 
company of Savannah. He slipped away from his 
business to see the bombardment of Fort Sumter 
in April, 1861, and a little later we then find him 
at his father's country estate some ten miles from 
Manassas Junction, looking forward to a second 
lieutenancy as the fulfilment of his then ambition. 

An introduction from Col. Thomas Jordan, the 
adjutant-general of Beauregard, to General Long- 
street fixed his career with that officer, and he was 
by his side transacting his business and carrying 
his orders from the start to well-nigh the finish. 
On the Peninsula, and in the trenches at Yorktown, 
at Williamsburg and Seven Pines, in the Seven Days 
Battle around Richmond, at Second Manassas and 
Sharpsburg, at Suffolk in southeast Virginia, at 
Gettysburg, Chickamauga, at Knoxville, at the 
Wilderness, and in many combats along the Rich- 
mond and Petersburg lines. General Sorrel shared 
in many adventures and was a part of many matters 
of great pith and moment. Like Sandy Pendleton, 
the adjutant of Jackson, of Ewell, and of Early as 
commanders of the Second Corps of the Army of 
Northern Virginia, and like W. H. Palmer, of Rich- 
mond, the adjutant of A. P. Hill, he had no special 
preparation for his military career; and all three 
of these valuable officers, like many others who 
might be mentioned, are simply illustrations of the 
fine inherent qualities that pertain to the scions of 
a free people. 

I have not written this introduction in the hope 
that I could add anything to the attractiveness of 



18 INTRODUCTION 

General Sorrell's recollections, nor have I undertaken 
to edit them or to pass upon the opinions which he 
expressed concerning men or things or battles. My 
part is simply that of a friend who belonged also 
to the staff of the Army of Northern Virginia, and 
of one who, from opportunities to observe General 
Sorrel on many occasions and to know him person- 
ally, learned to honor and admire him. I deem it 
fitting, however, to say that in some respects I differ 
from General Sorrel's opinions and would vary 
some of his observations respecting Ewell, Stuart, 
Early, and a few other conspicuous leaders. 

"Fortunate indeed is the man who like General 
Sorrel is entitled to remind those around his death- 
bed that he did his best to do his duty and to serve 
his country with heart and soul. The records of his 
life tell us how well, how faithfully he did serve 
her, and if anything can console you and others for 
his loss it must be that fact." 

These are the words of Field Marshal Wolseley, 
written to Mrs. Sorrel, the widow of the General, 
upon his death in New York in 1901. 

They are worthy of repetition in connection with 
General Sorrel's name by reason of their just esti- 
mate of his worth as a patriot and a soldier, and of 
the high spirit which they breathe; and that they 
are uttered by a soldier and a man of such character 
and ability as Field Marshal Wolseley impresses all 
the more their inherent merit. 

They better introduce the volume of General 
Sorrel's composition than anything I can say, for 
they reveal in short compass the nature of the man, 
the principle that actuated his life, and the estimate 
formed of him by an eminent soldier who had no 
partial relation to him or his deeds. 

John W. Daniel. 
Washington, D. C, May i, 1905. 



RECOLLECTIONS OF A CONFEDER- 
ATE STAFF OFFICER 

CHAPTER I 

Battle of Manassas, July 21, 1861. 

Forbears and Home at Savannah— Fort Sumter attacked — 
Hostilities begin — Leave for Virginia — Visit to my father 
— Beauregard's camp at Manassas — Colonel Jordan — Intro- 
duced to General Longstreet — Sketch — General Stuart — 
General Johnston^— The battle — Enemy defeated — Pursuit 
stopped — March to Centerville — Stonewall Jackson- 
Prince Napoleon — The review — Colonel Skinner — His 
Exploits. 

My forbears were French on my father's side, 
His father, Antoine Sorrel des Rivieres, Colonel du 
Genie (Engineer Corps) in the French Army, was 
on his estates in the island of St. Domingo when 
the bloody insurrection of the blacks broke out at 
the opening of the century. He had the tragic horror 
of witnessing the massacre of many relatives and 
friends. His property was destroyed, and his life 
barely saved by concealment and flight to Cuba, 
thence to Louisiana, where a refuge was found 
among friendly kindred. There he died at a great 
age. 

His son Francis, my father, was saved from the 
rage of bloodthirsty blacks by the faithful devotion 
of the household slaves, and some years later suc- 
ceeded in reaching Maryland, where he was edu- 



20 kECOLLECTIONS OF A 

cated. He married in Virginia, engaging in busi- 
ness in the early part of the century at Savannah, 
Georgia. 

My maternal great-grandfather, Alvin Moxley, 
was from Westmoreland County, Virginia. He was 
one of the signers of what is known as the Richard 
Henry Lee Bill of Rights, 1765, the first recorded 
protest in America against taxation without repre- 
sentation, and which twelve years later led directly 
to the Revolutionary War. The original document 
is now preserved and framed in the Virginia Histor- 
ical Society at Richmond. 

Death bereft my father of his wife in time's flight. 
An eminent merchant, successful and prominent, we 
find him in the Civil War in health and ease, happy 
in the love of many children and the esteem of hosts 
of friends. As a child he had seen some horrors 
of the insurrection, but never could he be per- 
suaded to speak of them, so deep and painful were 
even their distant memories. At the culmination of 
the political troubles in 1861 I was a young chap 
just twenty-two, at home in my native city. Savan- 
nah, peacefully employed with the juniors of the 
banking force of the Central Railroad. 

When Sumter was bombarded at Charleston in 
April, I slipped away for a day or two and witnessed 
the scenes of wild excitement that attended its fall. 
It spread everywhere, and like all the youth of the 
country I was quickly drawn in. For a year or two 
before, like many of my associates in Savannah, I 
was a member, a private, of the Georgia Hussars, 
a fine volunteer cavalry company, with a creditable 
history of almost a century. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 21 

On the secession of Georgia, now soon following, 
Fort Pulaski was seized and the various military 
commands did their tour of duty there, the Hussars 
among them. 

This was my first service. The company also 
immediately offered itself tO' the Confederate Gov- 
ernment just organized at Montgomery, Alabama, 
and was eager to get into the field ; but delay ensued, 
although it was mustered in for thirty days' service 
on the coast of Skidaway Island, near Savannah. 
There I served again as private until mustered out. 
A Confederate army was being collected in Virginia 
under Beauregard, the capital having been settled in 
Richmond. Becoming impatient of inaction at Sa- 
vannah, our company apparently not being wanted, 
I decided to go to Virginia and seek employment 
there. 

Richmond looked like a camp when I arrived, in 
July. It was full of officers in their smart uniforms, 
all busy with their duties, and the greatest efforts 
were made for equipping and arming the men now 
pouring in from the South. They were posted first 
in camps of instruction, where, by means of younger 
officers, they attained some drill before being sent 
to the army. How happy should I be could I get 
a commission as second lieutenant and plunge into 
work with the men. 

My brother. Dr. Francis Sorrel, had just arrived 
from California and was gazetted to a high position 
in the Surgeon-General's Department. He aided 
me all possible, but I got nothing, and so about 
July 15, my cash running down, betook myself to 
my father's pretty country place at Greenwich, about 



22 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

ten miles north of Warrenton, Fauquier County. 
It was also about ten miles from Manassas Junction, 
the headquarters of General Beauregard, now in 
command of the army that was to fight McDowell 
and defend Richmond. My father said it was un- 
fortunate I had not come a day or two earlier, 
because he had driven his daughters across the coun- 
try for a visit to the camps, where they met many 
friends. Among these was Col. Thomas Jordon, 
the all-powerful adjutant-general of Beauregard's 
army, then termed the Army of the Potomac. Many 
years before, Jordon, when a lieutenant, had been 
stationed in Savannah, and enjoyed my fathers 
generous hospitality. This was my opportunity. 

I asked for just a few lines of introduction to 
Jordon, and a horse out of the stables. I knew them 
well and could get a good mount for the field. My 
dear father willingly acceded, and parted from me 
cheerfully but with moist eyes. On the way to the 
camp I came up with Meredith, a relation (not long 
ago United States Congressman from Virginia), 
and soon I found Colonel Jordon. He had been 
doing an enormous amount of work and was almost 
exhausted. 

Jordon was considered a brilliant staff officer, and 
justly so; but there appeared something lacking in 
his make-up as a whole that disappointed his friends. 
At all events, his subsequent military career failed 
and he sank out of prominent notice. He was kind 
to me, read my note, said nothing could be done 
then ; but — ''Come again to-morrow." 

This turned me loose in the camp. The soldiers 
from the Valley under J. E. Johnston and J. E. B. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 23 

Stuart began to make an appearance in small num- 
bers, principally cavalry. We slept that night at 
Meredith's, about three miles from camp. Jordon, 
the next day, was still unable to do anything for me, 
and I began to be doubtful of success, but could at 
least go as a private with a good horse under me. 

Again at Meredith's and awakened very early by 
cannon, we were up in a moment and galloping to 
Beauregard's. 

There I was made happy on the 21st day of July. 
The adjutant-general handed me three lines of intro- 
duction to Longstreet, commanding a brigade at 
Blackburn's Ford several miles distant. With a 
good-by to Meredith I was swiftly off. Approach- 
ing the ford, shot and shell were flying close over- 
head ; and feeling a bit nervous, my first time under 
fire, I began to inquire what folly had brought me 
into such disturbing scenes. 

The feeling passed, however, and Longstreet, who 
had called on Beauregard for staff officers, received 
me cordially. 

His acting adjutant-general, Lieutenant Frank 
Armistead, a West Point graduate and of some 
service in the United States Army, was ordered to 
announce me to the brigade as captain and volunteer 
aide-de-camp. Brig.-Gen. James Longstreet was then 
a most striking figure, about forty years of age, 
a soldier every inch, and very handsome, tall and 
well proportioned, strong and active, a superb horse- 
man and with an unsurpassed soldierly bearing, his 
features and expression fairly matched; eyes, glint 
steel blue, deep and piercing; a full brown beard, 
head well shaped and poised. The worst feature 



24 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

was the mouth, rather coarse; it was partly hidden, 
however, by his ample beard. His career had not 
been without mark. Graduating from West Point 
in 1842, he was assigned to the Fourth Infantry, the 
regiment which Grant joined one year later. The 
Mexican War coming on, Longstreet had opportu- 
nity of service and distinction which he did not fail 
to make the most of; wounds awaited him, and 
brevets to console such hurts. After peace with 
Mexico he was in the Indian troubles, had a long 
tour of duty in Texas, and eventually received the 
appointment of major and paymaster. It was from 
that rank and duty that he went at the call of his 
State to arm and battle for the Confederacy. His- 
tory will tell how well he did it. He brought to 
our army a high reputation as an energetic, capable, 
and experienced soldier. At West Point he was 
fast friends with Grant, and was his best man at 
the latter's marriage. Grant, true as steel to his 
friends, never in all his subsequent marvelous career 
failed Longstreet when there was need. 

Such was the brigadier-general commanding four 
regiments of Virginia infantry, the First, Eleventh, 
Seventeenth, and Twenty-fourth, and a section of 
the Washington Artillery of New Orleans. The 
Eighteenth Virginia Infantry was afterwards added. 

Three days previously, Longstreet, just joined 
his command, had opportunity of showing his 
mettle. His position at the ford was fiercely assailed 
by the Federals, and his coolness, good disposition, 
and contagious courage brought about their defeat, 
and was the beginning of that devotion which his 
men gave him up to Appomattox. His staff officers 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 25 

at the time were Lieutenant Armistead, Lieutenant 
Manning of Mississippi, ordnance officer; Captain 
Walton of Mississippi, aid; Captain Goree of Texas, 
aid; and some quartermasters and commissaries de- 
tailed from the regiments. 

The army had scarcely made an attempt yet at 
good organization. 

At Manassas Junction, while waiting on Jordon, 
I first saw Gen. Joseph E. Johnston and J. E. B. 
Stuart. The first was full bearded, dusty, and worn 
from long marching; a high-bred, stern-looking 
soldier of faultless seat and bearing in the saddle. 
I had the good fortune to know him well and most 
happily in the coming years. Once long after the 
close of the war I was chatting with him in his best 
humor. We were speaking of his varied military life 
and the several wounds he had received in Mexico, 
with Indians, and in the recent Confederate War. 
He had many, and as he sat in face of me the Gen- 
eral's splendid, dome-like head was something to 
admire. Quite bald, it was scarred in several places, 
and looking at the mark of an ugly gash I inquired, 
"And, General, where did you get that one?" The 
smile that irradiated that strong, expressive face was 
brilliant and contagious as he answered, *T got that, 
sir, out of a cherry tree !" and then followed a laugh- 
ing account of what a fall he had, and how he had 
been chased by the farmer. 

Stuart, red bearded, ruddy faced, alert and ever 
active, was dirtier even than Johnston; but there 
stood the tireless cavalryman, the future right arm 
of the great Lee, the eyes and ears to his army. 
Alas ! that his pure soldier's life, crowned with such 



26 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Splendid fame, should have ended so needlessly, late 
in the war, by a stray shot. 

I should say here there is to be no attempt at 
describing battles — the military works are full of 
them. I shall content myself with bare outlines, and 
some observations of men and things, adding such 
incidents and personal happenings as may, I hope, 
prove of interest. 

Longstreet's brigade had practically no part in 
the battle of Manassas. It sustained some desultory 
artillery fire, and there was a demonstration against 
it, but it amounted to nothing. Blackburn's Ford 
was on the right, where the attack was expected, 
but McDowell found his way to Beauregard's left 
and nearly smashed him until Johnston and Jackson 
came "ventre a terre" and turned the doubtful tide 
of battle into a ruinous rout of the enemy. 

It was late in the afternoon, but we soon heard 
of it at our ford, and Longstreet, waiting for no 
man, was immediately in pursuit. He was halted 
first by Bonham, who ranked him, to permit his 
brigade to take the lead. Then resuming the march 
hot-footed, after the flying foe, we were again 
stopped, this time by Major Whiting, of Johnston's 
staff, with orders from Beauregard to attempt no 
pursuit. Painful was this order. We knew the 
Federals were in full flight, and we had only to show 
ourselves to bag the whole outfit. 

We dismounted among some young pines to await 
further orders, and I saw Longstreet in a fine rage. 
He dashed his hat furiously on the ground, stamped, 
and bitter words escaped him. However, the night 
was on us, some food was picked up by hook or 



1 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 27 

crook, and we slept well under the stars. The 
soundness of the order stopping pursuit has been 
viewed in many different ways, and I shall not add 
my own opinion, except to suggest that while in the 
condition of our army it was practically impossible 
to seize Washington, it was yet the proper thing 
to keep on the heels of those frightened soldiers until 
they reached the Potomac. Many thousand pris- 
oners, and much loot and stores, ammunition, guns, 
colors, and other material would have fallen into 
our hands. 

Next day the field and highways showed the terri- 
ble battle that had raged, and the ground was cov- 
ered with the debris of the panic-stricken army. 
Our brigade moved leisurely on, and halted for 
some time at Centerville. The army was concen- 
trated in the neighborhood, and about Fairfax Court 
House and Fairfax Station, our headquarters being 
for some time at the former place. About this time 
Longstreet was joined by two noted scouts and 
rangers whom he had known in Texas — the cele- 
brated Frank Terry and Tom Lubbock, powerful 
men, both of them, in the prime of life. Scouting 
and fighting had been their part from boyhood. 
They were of much use to Longstreet. From Fair- 
fax Court House and vicinity we sent regular details, 
called the advanced forces, to occupy Mason's and 
Munson's hills, only a few miles from Washington. 
At night the dome of the Capitol could be seen 
from those positions, lighted up with great splendor. 
There was sharp sniping in front of the hills, and 
Terry and Lubbock generally bagged their man 
apiece, each day, besides bringing in valuable infor- 



28 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

mation. Both men soon returned to Texas and or- 
ganized a regiment of cavalry in the Confederate 
service under Terry. It was said to be the finest 
body of horsemen and fighters imaginable, and sub- 
sequently did great service in the West. Terry fell 
among them at their head. 

It was while we lay in the neighborhood that I 
saw Prince Jerome Napoleon, *Tlon Plon." It 
seems he was making a short visit of curiosity (he 
was no friend of the South), and was at Beaure- 
gard's headquarters some distance off. 

The General sent notice to Longstreet that he was 
coming with his staff and guest to call on him, and 
suggested that he try to get up something in the way 
of a Small review of our best-clad soldiers. Long- 
street started me off at once to borrow a regiment 
from Stonewall Jackson and one from D. R. Jones 
(South Carolina), both commands being near by. 
The First Virginia Infantry, the Richmond regi- 
ment, was the contingent from our own brigade. I 
soon found myself saluting General T. J. Jackson, 
the first time I had seen the soldier. He was seated 
in a low, comfortable chair in front of his quarters, 
quite shabbily dressed, but neat and clean — little 
military ornament about him. It was the eye full of 
fire and the firm, set face that drew attention. His 
hand was held upright ; a ball at the recent battle had 
cut off a piece of his finger, and that position eased 
it. He was all courtesy to the young subaltern 
awaiting his answer. 

*'Say to General Longstreet, with my compli- 
ments, that he shall have my best-looking regiment, 
and that immediately. The colonel will report at the 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 29 

point you may designate." This done, Jones gave 
up his best, some good-looking Carolinians, with pal- 
metto badges, and then spurring back to meet Beau- 
regard and party to guide them to the reviewing 
ground, he presented me to His Highness the Prince, 
who, well mounted, was riding by his side. I could 
not keep my eyes off the Frenchman's face. It was 
almost a replica of the great Napoleon, his uncle, 
but unpleasantly so; skin pasty and flabby, bags 
under the eyes, and beefy all over. A large man, tall, 
but without dignity of movement or attitude. The 
review was soon over. The three picked regiments, 
with a good band, looked well, although the Rich- 
mond boys were a bit out at the seat; but, as old 
Skinner, the Colonel, said to the Frenchman as they 
marched by, "The enemy won't see that part of 
them." 

The spot was on a nice piece of turf near an old 
wooden church, and we had gathered a few refresh- 
ments for the occasion, but the Prince would have 
nothing. Coldly and impassively he raised his hat 
in parting salute, entered the carriage that was 
awaiting him, and, escorted by a lieutenant of 
cavalry and a half dozen men under a flag of truce, 
we willingly sent him back to his friends, the enemy. 
On returning to France he published what ill he 
could find to say of us, but "Plon Plon's" abuse was 
not to hurt or disturb honest men with brave hearts. 

A word about Old Skinner, Colonel of the First 
Virginia. He was an old Maryland fox hunter, 
handsome and distinguished looking, and had lived 
long in France, almost domiciled there. He was con- 
nected with many of the best people of Maryland and 



30 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Virginia, and had hosts of friends. Fond of good 
liquor, it was almost every night that he was a bit 
full, and then there were wild scenes with his well- 
known hunter, Fox, who could do anything or go 
anywhere with the Colonel on him. Skinner was a 
fine swordsman, and had brought from France a 
long, straight, well-balanced double-edged cuiras- 
sier's saber. In his cups the fine old Colonel would 
swear he should die happy could he have one chance 
to use that steel on the enemy. 

The chance came and Skinner was ready for it. At 
the second battle of Manassas a battery of six gims 
was mauling some of our infantry horribly. His reg- 
iment, the gallant First Virginia, was thrown at it, 
"Old Fred," as the men affectionately called him, 
leading well in advance. Out flashed the French 
saber, and he was among the gunners in a trice. His 
execution was wonderful ; sabering right and left he 
seemed invulnerable, but down he came at last, just 
as his men swept over the guns in a fine charge. It 
was the end of the Colonel's soldiering, but although 
frightfully wounded in the chest and body he sur- 
vived for many years. So lively was the old beau 
sabreur, that only a few years ago he came to New 
York to fight John Wise because of some fancied 
slight to a member of his family — Wise, too, his life- 
long friend! As there could be no fighting, Wise 
had to do some nice diplomatic work to soothe the 
irate Colonel and smooth over the affair. 



CHAPTER II 
After Manassas at Centreville 

Commissioned as captain and acting adjutant-general — Pay 
of officers — Assigned to Longstreet's brigade — The Ogle- 
thorpe Infantry, of Savannah — Enemy preparing for win- 
ter quarters — Beauregard takes command in West — Con- 
federate flag — Presentation of battle-flags — Starting a 
theatre — Georgia Plussars — A sleigh ride. 

Something must now be said as to what happened 
to me several weeks after the Manassas battle. It 
will be remembered I was a volunteer aid with the 
rank by courtesy, but no pay. When I saw my 
messmates taking theirs in very comfortably, it 
occurred to me I should make another effort for a 
commission, so I wrote my application to the Sec- 
retary of War asking to be appointed a second lieu- 
tenant, C. S. A., and assigned as might be thought 
proper. Blushing like a girl, I asked General Long- 
street if he could endorse it favorably. Glancing 
hastily at the paper, he said, "Certainly," and then 
added carelessly, ''but it isn't necessary." The words 
made no impression at the time, but they came to 
mind later. 

After the battle we had not been idle; at least 
I was set to work. There was no commissary to the 
brigade, and for a week or two I did the duty after 
a fashion until an officer of that department was 
assigned — Major Chichester. Elis papers, correspon- 



32 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

dence, and duties seemed to fall on me, naturally, by 
his consent, and the brigadier-general soon began to 
look to me for assistance. 

This had been going on for some time until the 
official mail one fine morning brought me a commis- 
sion as captain in the Adjutant-General's Depart- 
ment, with orders to report to Longstreet. Then 
his words leaped to my memory. He had a right to 
nominate his own adjutant-general and had applied 
for me while I was fishing around for a second lieu- 
tenancy. I had had no military training except some 
drill and tactics at school, but it seemed he thought 
I took to the work handily. He instructed me to 
relieve Armistead and take over all the duties of the 
office. I rose with Longstreet to be major and lieu- 
tenant-colonel in that department, and brigadier- 
general commanding in Hill's corps, and my afiec- 
tion for him is unfailing. Such efficiency on the 
field as I may have displayed came from association 
with him and the example of that undismayed war- 
rior. He was like a rock in steadiness when some- 
times in battle the world seemed flying to pieces. 

Armistead left us, carrying our good wishes for 
his future. 

I think the pay of a captain (mounted) was $140 
per month and forage for two horses ; a major, $162 
a month; a lieutenant-colonel, $187. All general 
officers got $301 per month. A soldier said the $1 
was for what they did, the $300 just thrown in 
to please them. Johnny Reb must have his little 
joke. 

The first company to leave Savannah for Virginia 
was the Oglethorpe Infantry, a fine body of eager 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 33 

young men commanded by Captain Bartow. He 
was well known all through the State as an ardent 
Confederate, a distinguished lawyer and orator. He 
took his young men to Joe Johnston in the Valley, 
wildly enthusiastic; but Bartow could not long 
remain their captain. His wide reputation quickly 
placed him colonel of the Eighth Georgia Infantry, 
and with that historic regiment the company fought 
at Manassas, and the entire war thereafter in Long- 
street's command. Bartow was commissioned a 
brigadier and served as such at Manassas. On 
July 2 1 St many anxious eyes were fixed on it 
in Savannah. Then was its baptism of fire, and 
nobly did the young men stand it. Many were the 
mourners at home for the killed and wounded of 
these devoted youths. Their officers — West, 
Cooper, Butler — led them handsomely ; their colonel 
was lost to them and to the country. Bartow was 
shot down at the head of the Eighth. "They have 
killed me, boys, but never give up the fight," was 
his last gasp, and his soul, with the gallant Bee's, 
sought its upward flight. The company became 
famous. It left its dead and wounded on every 
battlefield from Manassas to Appomattox, wherever 
Longstreet's corps was engaged. Revived now and 
honored it is at its old home, one of the leading mili- 
tary organizations of Georgia. Never do the men 
forget the memories of that day of battle on its 
recurring anniversaries, or fail in pride of their 
glorious predecessors. 

As the winter approached, the enemy drew in their 
front and lined the fortifications and defenses on the 
Potomac. McClellan evidently determined not to 



34 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

attack and that the winter must pass idly on their 
part. The gmidium certaniinis was no part of him. 
On ours Johnston drew in his scattered forces, con- 
centrating about Centerville, which he fortified, and 
there they were, the two armies, making faces at each 
other, and the Northern papers telHng wonders 
about us, all believed by McClellan, whose imagina- 
tion always doubled, trebled, quadrupled the fighting 
strength of those desperate Rebels. 

While at Centerville the army underwent its first 
reorganization. Beauregard was sent West to im- 
portant duty and J. E. Johnston assumed command 
of the Eastern army, to be forever known and glor- 
ious as the Army of Northern Virginia. It was 
then in four divisions, the second of the three bri- 
gades under Major-General Longstreet (Second 
Virginia and First South Carolina Brigade). First 
Division, also of three brigades, under Major-General 
Holmes (down on lower Potomac), and the district 
of the Valley, under Major-General T. J. Jackson 
(Stonewall), made up this army, besides artillery 
and cavalry ; the latter under Stuart. The first flag 
of the Confederacy was the stars and bars, but it 
was found on the battlefield dangerously similar to 
the Northern stars and stripes. The battle-flag 
under which we fought to the finish was then sub- 
stituted, and it was while we were at Centerville 
that the military function of presenting the new- 
colors to the battalions was arranged. 

The day for our division went off admirably. It 
was brilliant weather, and all were in their best 
outfits, and on their best mounts. The troops looked 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 35 

well as the colonels successively received their colors 
to defend. 

Arrangements had been made for a generous hos- 
pitality at our division headquarters. We were occu- 
pying a dismantled old wooden farm-house well 
situated in the shade of fine trees. There a sump- 
tuous repast was spread, and the principal officers 
of the divisions became our guests after the flag cere- 
monies. These arrangements were made by Major 
John W. Fairfax, whom Longstreet had had ap- 
pointed a major and inspector on his staff. Fairfax 
was a rich man, owning the beautiful broad estate 
of President Monroe, Oak Hill, on the upper Poto- 
mac, in Loudoun County, near Aldie, also a fine 
property on the lower Potomac. 

Major Fairfax was then of middle age, tall, 
courtly and rather impressive. He had attached 
himself at once to Longstreet, and took charge of his 
mess and small wants, presented him with a superb 
mount, and did the best he could with his new mili- 
tary duties. He lacked nothing in courage; was 
brave and would go anywhere. But Fairfax had 
two distinctions — he was the most pious of church- 
men and was a born bon vivant, knowing and liking 
good things. Whiskey later was hard to get, yet he 
managed to have always a good supply on hand. 

He is now a hale and hearty man, wonderfully 
well preserved. 

It was Fairfax, as I said, that provided the feast, 
drawing the richest materials from his beautiful 
broad pastures in Loudoun. Everything was plenti- 
ful in that stage of the war, and much liquor and 
wine were consumed. Johnston, G. W. Smith, Van 



36 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Dorn, Beauregard, and others of high rank were 
present, and we had great merriment and singing. 

Walton was quite a friend of mine and fond of 
me. Gifted with uncommon intellectual attainments, 
the favorite scholar of L. Q. C. Lamar at the Uni- 
versity of Mississippi, he was of the most uncertain, 
unexpected temper and exactions; he could be dan- 
gerous at times, and only the greatest firmness held 
him in check until the humor passed off and then he 
was all lovely. When the war ended he returned to 
Mississippi, quarreled with a man, and killed him. 
Moving to Alabama he found himself in the thick 
of the yellow fever epidemic of 1878. Dropping all 
personal interests he devoted himself wholly to the 
sick and dying, until himself struck down by death. 
His memory is sweet in that part of the State. 

One day, as the winter came on, Longstreet sent 
for me. ''The men will want amusement and enter- 
tainment the long winter days," he said. " We must 
get them up a theater and a good company. See to it 
at once and lose no time. Issue such orders as may 
be necessary." That was all, and quite easy for the 
General. Draw a theater and company, properties 
and all out of one's pocket like a ripe apple! But it 
could be done with the resources of a division of 
infantry at one's hand, and I set about it at once. 
The colonels each received a note asking help and 
details from the ranks of actors with some experi- 
ence They were sure to be found there. But more 
than all, I wanted a manager, and he soon came 
out of the First Virginia Infantry to take charge 
of the play. It was Theodore Hamilton, an actor 
of some experience. I have met him in several places 



. CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 37 

acting since the peace, and he always comes to me 
as an old friend, although he was not to tread the 
boards at the ''Centerville Theater." 

*'Now, Captain," he said, "for scenery and prop- 
erties. You have the building, I have the company ; 
what about the rest?" It was easy; painters were 
found in the ranks for scenery, and many of the 
officers chipping in, we got together enough money 
to send Hamilton to Richmond to get the costumes 
and properties. I don't think he made the most of 
his time there, but he got something, and after many 
delays we began to think we should see some acting 
after all. But alas ! just then, Johnston, discovering 
McClellan's movements to the Peninsula, broke up 
his camp, his officers destroying needlessly an im- 
mense amount of valuable supplies, and off we 
marched merrily to face our old friend, the young 
Napoleon. Such was the beginning and the end of 
our first and only attempt at theatricals. 

It was while we were about Centerville that a 
great change came over Longstreet. He was rather 
gay in disposition with his chums, fond of a glass, 
and very skilful at poker. He, Van Dorn, and G. W. 
Smith were accustomed to play almost every night 
with T. J. Rhett, General Johnston's adjutant-gen- 
eral, and we sometimes heard of rather wild scenes 
amid these old army chums — all from West Point, 
all having served in Mexico and against the Indians. 
Longstreet's wife and children were at Richmond. 
He was devoted to them. Suddenly scarlet fever 
broke out and three of the children died within one 
week. He was with them, and some weeks after 
resumed his command a changed man. He had be- 



38 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

come very serious and reserved and a consistent 
member of the Episcopal Church. His grief was 
very deep and he had all our sympathies ; later years 
lightened the memory of his sorrow and he became 
rather more like his old cheerful self, but with no 
dissipation of any kind. 

Before parting with Centerville it should be said 
that my old troop, the Georgia Hussars, had at last 
got their services accepted and were brought to 
Richmond under my friend Captain F. Waring, and 
m-ustered in for the war. They were thrown into a 
regiment known as the Jeff Davis Legion, com- 
manded by Colonel Will T. Martin, which was to 
prove itself a fine body of horse. 

While in quarters this winter there were several 
light falls of snow, a novelty to most of our South- 
ern fellows. Not many of them were familiar with 
such descents from the clouds. There came, how- 
ever, a storm anything but interesting. Snow was 
lying deep and camps were almost hidden. 

My staff comrade, Peyton Manning, and myself 
decided it was the time for a sleigh ride of our own. 
No cutters were to be had, but we improvised one. 
Securing a stout, well-made box of good size, a 
plank seat in it for two made it the body of the 
fabric. Then the forests yielded a couple of slim 
saplings, which, bent at the ends over the fire, were 
not bad for runners. On these, braced and crossed, 
with shafts attached, our box, well elevated, was 
securely fastened, and there was our cutter. We 
settled that the team should be stylish and made it 
**tandem," in good extemporized harness. My 
charger was put in the shafts and Manning's in the 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 39 

lead, both high-spirited animals. Each horse was 
mounted by a small negro, postilion-fashion, good 
riders both, and supposed to add some safety as well 
as novelty to the equipage. 

Manning undertook to handle the long reins from 
the bits, and we started, the observed of many curi- 
ous, and amid the worst lot of evil prophecies of 
what would befall us that it was ever my fate to 
hear. The outfit took the road handsomely, cheered 
by the soldiers, our black postilions grinning with 
delight. 

All went well for a time and then the devil him- 
self broke loose! The spirit of the horses rising, 
especially that fiery brute of Manning's, they were 
off entirely beyond control. Over the deep-snowed 
roads and fields, across ditches and broken fences 
the gallant pair in mad race took everything on a 
full run, their postilions now ashy hue with terror 
and clinging like burs to the bounding animals. 
The finish came quickly. There seemed to be a 
sudden great fall of stars from the midday skies 
and Manning and I were hurled right and left into 
deep snow drifts, everything in pieces, horses and 
little niggers quite out of sight. Digging ourselves 
out we took a good look at each other and some ugly 
words were said ; but although scratched and bruised 
no bones were broken, and we slowly trod our way 
back to camp, wiser if not better men from our first 
and last sleigh ride in old Virginia. The horses 
were brought back to quarters but never again were 
their black postilions seen in those parts. 



CHAPTER III 
Reminiscences and Horses. 

Visit to Mr. Francis Sorrel's conntry-seat — Interment of Cap- 
tain Tillinghast, U. S. A. — Sir William Howard Russell, 
Times correspondent — McDowell and July 21st — Seward 
and the French princes — Army begins to march to Penin- 
sula. 

Not long after the battle I set out on a visit to my 
father's country place, Ireland, fifteen miles from 
our camp. Hitching up two good mules to a light 
army ambulance, what we needed was put in, our 
intention being to bring back some delicacies for the 
messes. Captain Thompson, of Mississippi, one of 
the aids, accompanied me. He was an extraor- 
dinary looking person. Nature had been unkind. 
The son of Jacob Thompson, Buchanan's Secretary 
of the Interior, he had much to hope for, but for his 
affliction. His teeth and jaws were firmly set and 
locked, and no surgical ingenuity had yet succeeded 
in opening them. Liquids could be conveniently 
taken, but mechanical arrangements had to be made 
for solid food by the removal of some teeth. 

This young ofBcer showing a great desire to go 
along with me, was taken, although I could not help 
picturing some surprise on the part of my father 
and young sisters. We were made very welcome, 
as fresh from the glorious battlefield, and the day 
was a happy one. The girls had made a captain's 
coat for me out of homespun cloth; but such a fit! 
big enough for two captains of my thickness, it hung 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 41 

at all angles and flapped furiously in high winds. 
But love had prompted its making and I would never 
suffer any ugly remarks about it. 

Something better soon came. My brother, Doctor 
Sorrel, in Richmond, was always mindful of his 
juniors in the field, and getting possession of a 
blockade bolt of fine gray cloth, he soon had enough 
snipped off to make me two good Confederate suits, 
suitably laced and in regulation trim, besides a long 
gray cape, or cloak, well lined, which was to do me 
good service for years. 

At "Ireland" they loaded our ambulance with 
good things and there were shouts of joy when we 
reached the camp with the delicacies. 

Captain Thompson was not subject to military 
duty and soon returned to his home. 

It should be said here that these jottings are with- 
out the aid of a scrap of notes or other memoranda. 
The memory alone is called on, and as the events go 
back forty years it is something of a test ; but I hope 
I am rather strong on that point and do not fear 
falling into inventions or imaginations. There were 
some dry notes of dates and marches, but they cannot 
be found, and they would be of no use with these 
jottings, as no attempt at dates is made. It is a 
lasting regret tol me that as a staff officer with 
opportunities of seeing and knowing much, I did 
not keep up a careful diary or journal throughout 
the war. It should be made one of the duties of the 
staff. 

This is odd. The day after the battle I came 
across the body of Captain Tillinghast at the Federal 
field infirmary near the stone bridge. The year pre- 



42 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

vious I had been much in Baltimore at the Maryland 
Club and had there played billiards with Tillinghast, 
then a captain of Artillery, U. S. A., and an agreeable 
acquaintance ; consequently there could be no mistake 
when I recognized his dead body. The Federal 
surgeon also identifying him, I set about giving him 
decent burial, and managed it finally by the help of 
some men of Bartow's Savannah company who knew 
me. The ground was baked hard and we could not 
make the grave deep, but it was enough; and with 
my own hands I carved his name on the bark of a 
tree, under which the soldier found his last bivouac — 
^'Otis H. Tillinghast." 

Some time after, a blockade-runner, passing the 
lines took a letter from me to my cousin, Robert 
Fisher, in Baltimore, a friend also of Tillinghast. 
It was on other matters, but I let him know that 
Tillinghast's body had been recognized on the field, 
had received decent burial, and the spot marked. I 
described the location and then the matter passed out 
of my mind. 

After peace came I was with Fisher in Baltimore 
and learned from him that my letter had been 
received and the information as to Captain Tilling- 
hast considerately conveyed to his family. Fisher 
was answered soon after with thanks, ''but there 
was some mistake," Captain Tillinghast was buried 
by his old classmate Samuel Jones, a Confederate 
brigadier-general, in a different part of the field and 
his body later removed to the family vault. Aston- 
ishing! If they got a body from a spot not where 
I had laid him they got the wrong husband. Sam 
Jones quite likely saw Tillinghast, but he had no 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 43 

hand in our burial of him. Stranger things, how- 
ever, have happened. 

Here are some trifles of talk remembered as 
coming from the famous war correspondent. Sir 
William Howard Russell, whose letters from the 
Crimea broke the Aberdeen Ministry and made him 
one of the leading men of the Kingdom. He was 
not long ago knighted at great age for his service 
all over the world in that field of letters. I met him 
several years ago in New York, in the train of the 
notorious Colonel North, the Chilean nitrate king. 
Russell had always some good stories on hand, and 
laughed at his chase from Bull Run battlefield, 
whither he had gone with the Federal army to write 
up their victory pictures. It gave him the name of 
"Bull Run Russell," which stuck to him. He 
admitted being very far to the rear, but said there 
were some generals and colonels who outstripped 
him to Washington! Some years after the war 
he met in Europe General McDowell, who said, 
"Russell, do you know what day this is?" "No, I 
don't recall any special occurrence." "It is," said 
McDowell, "the 21st of July, and had I succeeded 
on that day in '61 I should have been the greatest 
man in America and you the most popular." " 

Russell also had something about the French 
princes come to join McClellan's army. The two 
young men, Comte de Paris and Due de Chartres, 
were under the care and tutelage of their uncle, the 
Prince de Joinville, who did not follow them to the 
army. On landing they received their commissions 
as captains, and quickly equipped themselves with 



44 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

handsome regulation uniforms and military appoint- 
ments. 

They proceeded to Washington to make formal 
calls of ceremony before reporting to McClellan. 
Among their first visits was that to Seward, the 
Secretary of State. On that evening he was hold- 
ing a large reception. Seward himself leaving the 
ceremony to his son Frederick, was upstairs with 
some cronies drinking whiskey. "Seward was 
screwed, you know," said Russell, ''undoubtedly 
screwed." When the two princes entered the hall, 
trim in their new uniforms, erect and soldierly, they 
were met by Frederick Seward, who at once went 
to announce them. "Tell them to come right up," 
said the old politician; "bring them right up and 
they shall have some good whiskey." "That will 
never do," said his son. "You must come down to 
them; it is etiquette and strictly in rule." And 
down the Secretary went. "Screwed" a little, for 
as soon as he spied the Frenchmen, out he broke: 
"Captain Chatters, glad to see you; welcome to 
Washington. And you too. Captain Paris. I am 
pleased to have you in my house. Both of you come 
up with me. You won't dislike the whiskey you 
shall taste." But the watchful Frederick came to 
the rescue and carried off the astonished princes 
with all propriety. 

Russell declared this to be literally true; but if 
not, it is at least as the Italians say, "ben trovato." 
Sir William was then a picturesque figure in dark 
blue dress coat, brass buttons, and ruffled shirt. 
Always interesting, he had exhaustless stores of 
information and adventure. A pretty young Italian 
wife accompanied him. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 45 

Something as to horses. I had left a good one 
in Savannah, in care of a member of the troop. 
Hearing that the horse was with him in Virginia I 
sent over for my property and got for answer that 
he was not mine; that he belonged to the man in 
Savannah, who not being able to enlist had con- 
tributed this fine animal to the outfit of the troop. 
A nice business indeed. It was easy to be patriotic 
with my horse, but it was soon settled. Captain 
Waring heard the statement, and recognizing the 
animal as mine had him sent to me; but the horse 
had been so neglected and diseased that he was no 
good and I was obliged to leave him by the road- 
side. I had, during the war, many horses, some 
good, some very poor. Among the best was the 
tough-looking clay-bank I took from my father 
when joining the army. He was capable of any- 
thing in speed and endurance, but with a walk so 
slow and a trot so bone-breaking that I had to swap 
him for one not so good. Many of my animals 
broke down from hard staff service in campaign, 
and a magnificent mare was killed under me in 
Pickett's charge at Gettysburg. A shell burst 
directly under her and the poor beast was instantly 
done for. I was not touched. In Tennessee, in 
1864, I picked up a delightful little white mare, 
sound, fleet and enduring. I could not always get 
to my other horses at the outbreak of firing, and the 
mare's color was against us both. It was always 
among the soldiers, "Fire at the fellow on the white 
horse." She was at my brigade quarters at Appo- 
mattox and my brother rode her to Savannah. 
When the two appeared in front of our residence, 



46 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

my sisters rushed out, but could not believe that the 
poor, tired httle mare was their brother's war horse. 
Their imagination had been at work. 

My brother Claxton, my junior, was a fine, well 
set up young fellow and eager for the fray. He 
was also a private in the Hussars, and like myself 
had not waited for the company, but came on to 
Richmond. Here he fell in with some* young 
Georgians from Athens, the Troop Artillery, a six- 
gun battery under command of Captain Carlton. 
Claxton joined and became a good artillerist and 
was a corporal when transferred. The First 
Georgia Regulars was organized by the State among 
the first, its officers being appointed by the Governor 
and the men enlisted anywhere. Its drill and dis- 
cipline were supposed to be severer than that of 
other troops. This regiment was brought to 
Virginia and assigned to G. T. Anderson's (Tige 
Anderson) Georgia Brigade. With some influence 
and much hard work, my brother. Doctor Sorrel, 
succeeded in getting a commission as second lieu- 
tenant in this regiment for Claxton. Its officers 
were not elected; they were appointed by the 
Executive. Claxton's service was thenceforward 
with this regiment, its officers showing some of the 
best names in Georgia, and its reputation corre- 
spondingly high. Later I gave Captain Sorrel a 
temporary detail on the staff of Brigadier-General 
Garnett, and still later he was appointed captain in 
the Assistant Adjutant-General's Department and 
served with General John Bratton. 

When we moved from Centerville my father had 
long since returned to Savannah with his family, 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 47 

and his "Ireland" place was unoccupied (it was 
later burned by the Union soldiers) . But my cousin, 
Mrs. Lucy Green, and children, were at their place, 
"The Lawn," which would be in the enemy's terri- 
tory after our withdrawal. Our first halt was near 
Gainesville and after getting the troops comfortably 
into camp I rode over to see her, about three miles. 
The situation was clearly described and she decided 
to pack her carriages and wagons and move to 
Richmond. I gave her a safe escort in a man from 
Lynchburg, Mr. Paxton, a member of Blackford's 
cavalry company. With farewells I rode back 
through the night, the better by a pair of English 
boots my cousin gave me. She and the children, 
with servants, under good Paxton's charge, made 
next morning a start for Richmond, where they 
arrived safely. 

Referring again to horses, the hussar horse had 
been my mount at the short service on Skidaway. 
Henry Taylor was my messmate and rode next me 
on a good bay precisely the same color as mine, with 
considerable resemblance between them. Taylor 
was rich, lazy, despised discipline, and was a trial 
to the captain. He gave his horse no attention and 
the beast would have starved but for others. The 
captain could stand it no longer. Sending for 
Taylor he read him a severe lecture and promised 
punishment if the horse was not kept clean and 
tended. 

Taylor was persuaded he must do something, and 
the next morning he was up at stable-call at the 
picket ropes, brush and curry comb in hand. It was 
very early and misty. My horse was picketed next 



48 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

to Taylor's and I had the satisfaction of seeing my 
lazy friend give him the best morning's rub he had 
received for many days. When Taylor woke up 
to what he had done and that his own horse was 
still to be tended he could not immediately see the 
joke, but soon took it in good part and had some- 
thing ready for me not long after, which he thought 
squared us. 



CHAPTER IV 

Sketches 

Brigadier-Generals Elzey and Early — Leaping horses — Confed- 
erate uniforms — Ladies at Fairfax Station — Colonel Stu- 
art's Maryland line — Longstreet made Major-General — 
Sketches of Brigadier-Generals Ewell and Pickett — Gen- 
eral Anderson — Major-General Van Dorn — Major-General 
G. W. Smith — Brigadier Early — Brigadier-General D. R. 
Jones. 

One fine day not long after the Manassas battle, 
and while we were at Fairfax Court House, Long- 
street called on me to ride over to the station on a 
visit. It was to General Elzey, who was found with 
General Early in a dilapidate old church. Refresh- 
ments were ordered and a good deal of whiskey 
consumed by the three brigadiers, some colonels and 
staff officers. Early had been a strong Union man 
until Virginia seceded, and he then took arms, devot- 
edly and ever bravely, for his State and the Con- 
federacy. He was, however, of a snarling, rasping 
disposition, and seemed to irritate Elzey, who, not a 
Union man, had come South without the secession 
of his State, Maryland. There were some hot words 
all around, but peace was made, however, and we 
all quit the drinks and adjourned to the horses and 
fine weather outside. Leaping fences and ditches at 
once began, my mount doing well and coming some 
daring trials. Longstreet was mounted on a fine 
bay not quite up to such work, with his weight, and 
the General turned him over to me. The bay did 



50 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Splendidly, surpassing all others present, and the 
generals were much pleased. 

Colonel Duncan McRae, Fifth North Carolina, 
had just received from Richmond a handsome new 
Confederate uniform and outfit. Alas ! it soon came 
to grief. The Colonel, in taking a high fence, lost 
his seat and came down very hard, splitting his fine 
coat in the back, from collar to waist. 

A word here as to uniforms and insignia. So fast 
does the memory of things pass that perhaps it may 
be well to make a note of what was the Confederate 
uniform. It was designed and settled on by a board 
of officers of the War Department. 

For all officers, a close-fitting double-breasted 
gray tunic. 

For generals, staff and all field officers, dark blue 
trousers. 

The arm of service was shown by collar and cuff — 
Generals and staff officers, buff; Cavalry, yellow; 
Artillery, red; Infantry, blue; Medical Department, 
black. 

Dark blue trousers had broad gold stripes on outer 
seams, except generals, who wore two narrower and 
slightly apart. 

Trousers for all line officers under rank of major 
were light blue with broad cloth stripe, color of 
service arm. 

Rank was shown on collar and sleeve. 

Generals wore on collar a gold wreath enclosing 
three stars in line, the middle one slightly larger. 
On their sleeves was the ornamental Hungarian 
knot of four braids width. They usually wore their 
buttons in groups of twos or threes. There was no 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 5l 

difference in the uniform or rank mark among the 
several grades of general officers. 

Colonels wore three stars in line, same size; lieu- 
tenant-colonels, two, and majors, one. The knot on 
the sleeve was three braids width for the three 
grades of field officers — colonel, lieutenant-colonel, 
and major. ^^^ 

For captains, rank was shown by three short bars 
lateral on front of collar; first lieutenant, two bars, 
and second lieutenant, one bar. Captains wore on 
sleeve Hungarian knot of two braids width, and 
first and second lieutenants, one braid. 

For headgear the French "Kepi," color of arm 
of service, richly embroidered, was first provided; 
but the felt hat, black or any color that could be had, 
speedily pushed it aside almost before it had an 
existence. 

The intention of the board of officers was to adopt 
the tunic like the short, close-fitting, handsome Aus- 
trian garment, but it went completely by default. 
The officers would none of it. They took to the 
familiar cut of frock coat with good length of tail. 

Longstreet and two or three of us tried the tunic, 
but it was not popular. 

Confederate uniforms were in great number at 
the flag presentations a little later, of which I have 
already spoken. We were then bravely dressed in 
the bright and handsome Confederate gray. 

But now "place aux dames." A splendid Mary- 
land regiment of Elzey's brigade was at Fairfax 
Station near by, and two lovely women, descendants 
of a distinguished Virginia family, were then visit- 
ing their numerous friends serving with it. They 



52 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

were the beautiful Carys, Hetty and her cousin Con- 
stance. The three generals, gallantly inclined, de- 
cided they must call on the ladies, and this they did, 
shutting out their staffs for the time. Then evening 
coming on dress parade was in order and Colonel 
George Stewart soon had his fine Marylanders in 
line. He insisted on the two ladies taking position 
by him, and when time for the manual came, handed 
his sword to Hetty, and stepping aside prompted 
her with the orders, and thus the regiment, amid 
much enthusiasm, was put through its manual by 
the prettiest woman in Virginia. They soon returned 
to Richmond and occupied themselves in the good 
work of the Southern women. Hetty, a really glor- 
ious beauty, married Brig.-Gen. John Pegram in 
January, 1865. Three weeks after he fell at Hatch- 
er's Run, at the same time that I received what was 
thought a fatal wound. The New York Herald a 
few days later published both our obituaries. (See 
Appendix.) 

Constance married, after the peace, my friend 
Burton N. Harrison, President Davis's accomplished 
private secretary. He began his law practice in New 
York, succeeding well, and his wife soon became 
established and admired as a woman of taste and 
uncommon social and literary attainments. Her 
books have gained deserved popularity and wide 
circulation. 

Longstreet being now a major-general, with three 
brigades, the new brigadiers are to be introduced. 
R. S. Ewell took our old brigade. He was a dis- 
tant relative of mine and one of the strangest of 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 53 

warriors ; had served with distinction in Mexico, and 
all his life against Indians. He was without a supe- 
rior as a cavalry captain and of the most extraordi- 
nary appearance. Bald as an eagle, he looked like 
one; had a piercing eye and a lisping speech. A 
perfect horseman and lover of horses (racers), he 
never tired talking of his horse "Tangent," in Texas, 
who appears to have never won a race and always 
to have lost his owner's money. But the latter's 
confidence never weakened and he always believed 
in "Tangent." General Ewell became a very dis- 
tinguished soldier, and justly so. To uncommon 
courage and activity he added a fine military instinct, 
which could make him a good second in command 
in any army. He was not long with us. His for- 
tunes were with Stonewall Jackson in the Valley 
operations, and he rose to be major-general and 
lieutenant-general. In the latter rank he commanded 
the Second Corps at Gettysburg, having previously 
lost a leg in the second Manassas campaign. His 
command suffered great loss in the slaughter of Mal- 
vern Hill. The morning after, I found him doubled 
up on the floor of a little shanty, his head covered 
up ; the ground was covered with our slain. Raising 
himself he instantly recognized me, and lisped out, 
"Mather Thorrel, can you tell me why we had five 
hundred men killed dead on this field yesterday?" 
That was all ; the soul of the brave General was fit to 
burst for the awful and useless sacrifice. It was a 
fearful blunder somewhere and has not yet been 
boldly and clearly lighted up. Kemper, a fine Vir- 
ginian colonel, succeeded Ewell in command of the 
Fourth Brigade, and served well until he was left 



54 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

for dead in front of his men in Pickett's charge at 
Gettysburg. 

Our Second Brigade was also Virginian. One 
evening at dark I was in my narrow office when an 
officer was announced. I turned and had quite a 
start at my visitor's appearance. It was George 
Pickett, just made brigadier-general, and reporting 
for command. A singular figure indeed! A 
medium-sized, well-built man, straight, erect, and in 
well-fitting uniform, an elegant riding-whip in hand, 
his appearance was distinguished and striking. But 
the head, the hair were extraordinary. Long ring- 
lets flowed loosely over his shoulders, trimmed and 
highly perfumed; his beard likewise was curling 
and giving out the scents of Araby. He was soon 
m.ade at home, and having already received Long- 
street's instructions, was assigned to his brigade. 

Pickett became very friendly, was a good fellow, 
a good brigadier. He had been in Longstreet's old 
Army regiment, and the latter was exceedingly fond 
of him. Taking Longstreet's orders in emergencies, 
I could always see how he looked after Pickett, and 
made us give him things very fully; indeed, some- 
times stay with him to make sure he did not get 
astray. 

Such was the man whose name calls up the most 
famous and heroic charge, possibly, in the annals 
of war. Pickett's charge at Gettysburg stirs every 
heart that beats for great deeds, and will forever 
live in song and story. 

Afterwards his division was relieved to rest and 
recruit, and grew strong and fit. It was, however, 
badly mauled at Five Forks by Sheridan, although 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 55 

its commander is said to have made excellent dispo- 
tion of his troops and fought them gallantly. 

The Third Brigade was of South Carolina regi- 
ments under command of Brig.-Gen. Richard H. 
Anderson, a West Point graduate and an experi- 
enced officer of the old Army. Of him and also the 
artillery attached to the division there is more to be 
said later. 

At the Centerville camp Major-General Earl Van 
Dorn commanded a division. A small, handsome 
man, the very picture of a thorough light cavalry- 
man, he enjoyed a high reputation from service in 
Mexico and against the Indians. Soon after he was 
transferred to a command in Mississippi, and there 
falling into a private quarrel was killed. 

Maj.-Gen. G. W. Smith also had a division near 
Centerville. From this officer much was expected. 
He had left the Academy with high honors, and 
served many years with distinction. He resigned 
from the Army to become Street Commissioner in 
New York, a lucrative office, and thence he came 
South for service. There was no opportunity to 
show his abilities in the field until the battle of 
Seven Pines in May- June, 1862, and then General 
Lee taking command of the army. Smith withdrew, 
and was, I think, not again heard of in active field 
work. After the war he wrote a book, his "Apolo- 
gies," in which he threw all the blame on his once 
bosom friend, James Longstreet, and upon General 
Johnston for field work, up to the time of his 
retirement. 

Jubal Early, brigadier-general, was one of the 
ablest soldiers in the army. Intellectually he was 



56 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

perhaps the peer of the best for strategic combina- 
tions, but he lacked abihty to handle troops effec- 
tively in the field ; that is, he was deficient in tactical 
skill. His irritable disposition and biting tongue 
made him anything but popular, but he was a very 
brave and able commander. His appearance was 
quite striking, having a dark, handsome face, regular 
features, and deep piercing eyes. He was the victim 
of rheumatism, and although not old was bent almost 
double, like an aged man. Of high scholarly and fine 
political attainments, he never married, but led the 
life of a recluse in Virginia, entirely apart from 
social and public affairs. 

D. R. Jones, brigadier-general, was also near us. 
A very agreeable, lovable man, tall and stately, he 
made a brave appearance, and w^ell merited the sobri- 
quet of ''Neighbor Jones," as they pleasantly called 
him at West Point. His wife, a relative of Presi- 
dent Davis, was much with him in camp, and a very 
decided character by the side of her indulgent hus- 
band. He could not figure with much success, his 
health being poor, and after Sharpsburg w^as trans- 
ferred to some easier service elsewhere, and soon 
after died. 



CHAPTER V 
Our National Hymn 

Singing among the troops — Van Dorn — Longstreet — Smith and 
"I Puritani" for National hymn — Surgeon Francis Sorrel, 
C. S. A. — Life in Richmond — Troops passing through — 
Toombs and his brigade — General D. H. Hill. 

Among the troops at Centerville there was much 
singing, some of it very sweet and touching. 
"Lorena," set to a tender, sentimental air, was heard 
everywhere. *'My Maryland" was a great favorite, 
and of course ''Dixie" was always in evidence. There 
were, however, other sweet Southern melodies that 
the soldiers took up, seemingly mellowing stern 
hearts . and bringing tender memories of home. 
There was constant talk of a National air, "Dixie" 
being thought by some as of not sufficient dignity. 
"My Maryland" had many advocates, but there were 
some that thought the noble strain of the great 
Liberty duet from "I Puritani" was the thing for 
the Confederacy. General Van Dorn was enthusi- 
astic about it. At the banquet at Longstreet' s, after 
the flag presentation, the talk turned on this air, and 
Van Dorn began to sing it. "Up on the table and 
show yourself; we can't see you!" said Longstreet. 
"Not unless you stand by me !" shouted Van Dorn ; 
and no sooner said than Longstreet, G. W. Smith, 
and Van Dorn, the ranking major-generals, were 
clinging to each other on a narrow table and roaring 
out the noble bars of "I Puritani." Johnston and 



58 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Beauregard stood near with twinkling eyes of 
amusement and enjoyment. So much for wine and 
"entoosy moosy," as Byron calls it; but for all this 
good start, the soldiers declined the impressive air 
and stuck to their Dixie. 

It was always gratifying to me to note the good 
equipment in which the troops from every State 
were sent to the front for the Confederacy. 
Governor Brown was thorough in doing the best 
for them that the blockade of the coast and his 
factories permitted. They came forward with good 
clothing, shoes and underwear, which, although of 
home make, were warm, comfortable and serviceable. 

My brother, Dr. Francis Sorrel, was some years 
my senior. He had served in the United States 
Army as assistant surgeon, but had resigned and 
was in California when the war began. He 
immediately came to share the fortunes of his State. 
Dr. Moore, the Confederate Surgeon-General, with- 
out delay had him appointed to full rank and 
assigned for service as his close confidential assistant 
(the pair were forever rolling cigarettes). There 
his influence and powers were considerable and the 
Doctor was always helpful to his friends. He was 
instrumental in assigning Dr. James B. Read, of 
Savannah, to the officers' hospital in Richmond, and 
in Read's hands it became celebrated. He kept a 
good lookout for his two junior brothers in the field 
and we had many evidences of his thoughtfulness. 

With a wide acquaintance in Richmond, he knew 
the principal members of Congress and was liked by 
all the Cabinet. His previous service in the United 
States Army put him in good touch with many high 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 59 

officers, and his position in all respects was enviable. 
Occasionally I managed to make a short visit to 
Richmond, and then my brother gave me introduc- 
tions to pleasant men and charming women. There 
may be more to say of him later. 

Life at Richmond at this time^ — January, Febru- 
ary, March, April, 1862 — seemed gay and happy, 
with but little outward sign of apprehension or 
anxieties for the future. Food supplies were 
abundant and the pinch for clothing and shoes was 
being eased by the remarkable achievement of the 
several States in equipping their contingents for the 
field. 

Most of the troops passed through Richmond en 
route to the Peninsula, and there was much excite- 
ment and cheering. Main Street was thronged with 
people shouting wildly as the regiments marched 
down to Rocketts, where they were to take boat for 
part of the route. 

General Toombs was quite conspicuous. Every 
one knows that that luminous intellect embraced no 
soldier's talent. It might have been so with study, 
but the Georgian was for once and all a politician, 
and in the wrong shop with a sword and uniform on. 

He marched his troops down Main Street, past 
the crowds at Spottswood Hotel, with childlike 
delight. He put himself at the head of one regi- 
ment and moved it out of sight amid hurrahs, then 
galloping back he brought on another, ready him- 
self for cheers, until the brigade was down the street 
and near the embarkation. It was somewhat amus- 
ing, but a harmless entertainment for the brilliant 
orator and statesman. 



60 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Being quite without notes I had almost omitted 
a jotting about one of Longstreet's brigadiers at 
Centerville — a marked and pecuHar character. This 
was General D. H. Hill, not long with us. He was 
soon made major-general and sent elsewhere to 
command. Hill was a small, delicate man, rather 
bent, and cursed with dyspepsia, which seemed to 
give color to his whole being. He was out of West 
Point with a good class number, was a capable, well- 
read soldier, and positively about the bravest man 
ever seen. He seemed not to know peril and was 
utterly indifferent to bullets and shell, but with all 
these qualities was not successful. His backbone 
seemed a trifle weak. He would take his men into 
battle, fight furiously for some time and then some- 
thing weakened about him. Unless there was some 
strong character near by, like Longstreet, for 
instance, on whom he leaned, his attack would be apt 
to fail and his first efforts go unrewarded. His 
speech was bitter, although a most devout Presby- 
terian elder. He had resigned long before from the 
United States Army, and had a large school in 
North Carolina. He was accustomed to sneer at 
cavalry, and once went so far as to say he had "yet 
to see a dead man with spurs on." It may be 
imagined what Stuart's gallant troopers thought of 
him. But Hill had brains, and rose. He was later 
on sent West to command in Bragg's army, was 
promoted to lieutenant-general, and is said to have 
failed grievously at Chickamauga, for which Bragg 
suspended him from command; and he was not, I 
think, restored to any service in the field. He was 
really a good man, but of sharp prejudice and intem- 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 61 

perate language. If there was one department of 
the army well administered amid almost impossi- 
bilities, requiring most ingenious and inventive 
resources, it was the Ordnance, under Colonel 
Gorgas. Hill took a hatred to it because a gun 
burst in action, and his imputations on the faith of 
the department and its abilities were quite unworthy 
of him or of any good soldier. 



CHAPTER VI 

The Peninsula and Battle of Williamsburg, 
May 5, 1862 

Arrival at Yorktown — Major-General Magruder — His skilful 
defense — Lines at Warwick River — Major-General Mc- 
Clellan — Retreat from Yorktown — Battle of Williamsburg, 
May 5 — Death of Colonel Mott, Nineteenth Mississippi — 
Destruction of armored ram Virginia — Charge by Georgia 
Hussars — Explosives behind rearguard rebuked — Promo- 
ted major. 

But I must hasten to the Peninsula, where at 
Yorktown and along the lines of the little Warwick 
River, McClellan and Johnston are frowning at each 
other ; the former, as usual, tripling the Confederate 
force and bawling for more men. Persons and 
things I have left behind will probably come into 
these jottings in the loose way they fall from the 
pen. 

Longstreet with his staff and some of his regiments 
were among the first arrivals to face McClellan and 
gave great relief to Magruder. This officer, a major- 
general, commanding some 10,000 to 12,000 men, 
had offered a most extraordinary and successful 
defense. It was a wonderful piece of bluff and could 
have won only against McClellan. Yorktown was 
strongly armed and well defended. Thence stretch- 
ing across the Peninsula was a sluggish little stream 
known as the Warwick River. It was fordable in 
almost all places, in some nearly dry-shod. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 63 

Magruder's engineers had strengthened the de- 
fenses by some dams that gathered a good spread of 
water to be passed in an attack. The Warwick, of 
many miles extent, was necessarily thinly defended. 
Magruder put his whole force behind it, an attenuated 
line, up and down which he constantly rode in full 
sight of the enemy. He was known in the old Army 
as "Prince John," from the splendor of his appear- 
ance and his dress. Of commanding form and loving 
display, he had assembled a numerous staff, all, 
like himself, in the most showy uniforms. To these 
he added a fine troop of cavalry, and when the caval- 
cade at a full gallop inspected the thin lines of the 
Warwick, it was a sight for men and gods. I am 
persuaded he so impressed "Little Mac" that he sang 
out for more men and thus lost his opportunity. 
In very truth he was so strong and Magruder so 
weak that the Union ramrods should have sufficed 
to break the defense and gobble up the magnificent 
"Prince John." 

Longstreet's arrival was therefore a great relief, 
and soon Johnston had his army in full position, 
making McClellan almost frantic; he more than 
doubled Johnston's actual strength. A strong attack 
should have prevailed to drive us away; and if 
briskly followed, eventually into the York River. 
But Johnston knew his man, as did indeed every Con- 
federate leader later on. Lee, Longstreet, Jackson, 
the Hills all knowing his points, while serving in 
the U. S. Army, could now rightly measure him. 
McClellan was a lovable man, an admirable organ- 
izer, but with little taste for battle unless largely out- 
numbering his opponent. Here in the trenches oc- 



64 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

curred remarkable scenes. Many of the Southern 
regiments had enhsted for only twelve months and 
the time expired in April. Re-enlistments and elec- 
tions of the officers took place under fire of the 
enemy ! Our men were splendid, and with rare ex- 
ceptions they refused home and re-enlisted, this time 
for the war. 

Inactivity continued for some time, Longstreet 
commanding the center with his own and other 
troops, until it was soon apparent to Johnston that 
Richmond was too much exposed to attacks on the 
north side of the James River. The capital must be 
covered; besides, both our flanks were endangered 
by the enemy's immense superiority on the water. 
Preparations therefore began for a move, and on 
the night of May 3 the army was successfully drawn 
from its trenches and started on its deliberate, well- 
ordered retreat. On May 5 our rearguard was over- 
taken and attacked in force at Wiliamsburg, Long- 
street in command, with a considerable part of the 
army. It was a stubborn, all-day fight, with serious 
losses on both sides, but the enemy was beaten of¥ 
and we resumed the march that night, the Federals 
having enough of it. We were not again molested. 
This was our first severe fight, and the steadiness 
and order of officers and men appeared to be very 
satisfactory. I was promoted to be major soon af- 
terwards, the commission dating May 5, the day of 
the action. There was a gruesome but affecting 
sight during the battle. Colonel Mott, of high repu- 
tation, had brought from his State the Nineteenth 
Mississippi Infantry. It was hotly engaged in a 
long, fierce fight, and Mott fell. His black servant 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 65 

in the rear immediately took a horse and went to the 
firing Hne for his master's body. I met the two 
coming out of the fire and smoke. The devoted 
negro had straddled the stiffened limbs of his master 
on the saddle before him, covered his face with a 
handkerchief, and thus rescued his beloved master's 
body for interment with his fathers on the old Mis- 
sissippi estate. 

The celebrated L. Q. C. Lamar was lieutenant- 
colonel of the regiment, and succeeded to the com- 
mand, until forced by physical disability, he retired 
to Richmond for other service. The army moving 
on soon neared the capital and took up the several 
positions assigned its divisions. McClellan's huge 
force following, threw itself across the Chickahom- 
iny, and the siege of Richmond may be said to have 
begun. 

On the withdrawal of the army from the Penin- 
sula, Norfolk and Gloucester Point became inde- 
fensible and the destruction of immense quantities 
of material both for field use and for construction 
had to be submitted to. The blow was not made 
lighter by the loss of the famous Virginia, formerly 
the Merrimac, that did such havoc at Newport 
News. She could not be permitted to fall into the 
enemy's hands and was of too deep draft for service 
on the James River. Her commander, Admiral 
Josiah Tatnall, was therefore reluctantly forced to 
her destruction. She was blown up and disappeared. 
Other vessels, cruisers and gun-boats, boilers, en- 
gines, and great quantities of material for construc- 
tion had to be destroyed for similar reasons. The 
loss was bitter to us, as so much could have been 
done with it all for a little fighting navy. 



66 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

It was during the action at Williamsburg that I 
was ready to shout for joy at seeing my old troop, 
the Georgia Hussars, in a gallant charge. Their 
regiment, the Jeff Davis Legion, had been prema- 
turely thrown at the enemy in a position he was 
thought about leaving. The cavalry colonel was 
wrong. Our Georgians went forward in fine style, 
expecting to carry everything, but quickly found 
themselves in a very hot place. The enemy was not 
retiring, but on the contrary gave the Legion so 
warm a reception as to empty many saddles. They 
all came back pell-mell, "the devil take the hind- 
most," my Hussar comrades wondering what their 
colonel had got them "into that galley for!" It 
was a severe lesson but a salutary one, and the regi- 
ment was not again caught that way. Longstreet 
saw them close by as they dashed forward, and said, 
"They must soon come back; the colonel is ahead 
of the right moment." 

General Johnston was present on the field all day, 
but seeing Longstreet, the rearguard commander, 
carrying things very handsomely, generously for- 
bore any interference and left the battle to his han- 
dling. He sent the latter such additional troops 
as he had to call for from time to time. When night 
came it was horrible. There were many dead and 
wounded and the weather nasty; the roads ankle 
deep in mud and slush. But the march had to be 
again taken up. 

On the retreat from Yorktown, Brigadier-General 
Rains was commanding the rearguard. He was a 
brother of the other Rains who at Augusta, Georgia, 
achieved the apparently impossible task of supplying 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 67 

ammunition. Both brothers were given to experi- 
ments in explosives and fond of that study. When 
Gabriel began moving out on our march he amused 
himself planting shells and other explosives in the 
roadway after us to tickle the pursuers. Hearing 
this I reported the matter to Longstreet, who in- 
stantly stopped it. He caused me to write Rains a 
rather severe note, reminding him that such prac- 
tises were not considered in the limits of legitimate 
warfare, and that if he would put them aside and 
pay some attention to his brigade his march would 
be better and his stragglers not so numerous. This 
officer did not remain long on duty in the field. His 
talents, like those of his more celebrated brother, 
lay elsewhere. 

After getting into position before Richmond, less 
than a month intervened between the reorganization 
and strengthening of the army and change of its 
commander. I shall therefore defer any observa- 
tions that I may recall as to its composition and per- 
sonnel until it took its more permanent form under 
Lee, contenting myself with some stray reflections 
on the battle of Seven Pines, which by the deplora- 
ble wounding of Johnston gave us for leader Robert 
E. Lee. 



CHAPTER VII 
Battle of Seven Pines, May 31, 1862. 

Position taken in front of Richmond — Reception at President 
Davis's — Sketch — Mr. Benjamin, Secretary of State — 
Storm-bound — Richmond — General Johnston wounded — 
— Von Borcke, the German volunteer — His armament. 

Our positions were so near Richmond as to permit 
frequent visits there during the pleasant month of 
May. 

McClellan was hugging himself in security and 
reinforcements beyond the Chickahominy, and the 
earthwork defenses of Richmond which we were 
guarding seemed to us then all-sufficing. Later, we 
could realize how little they were worth without 
men and guns and rifles and a leader in the field. 
These defenses had been scientifically constructed 
by the engineers headed by General Lee and Maj.- 
Gen. J. F. Gilmer. The latter was a distinguished 
officer long resigned from the United States Army, 
had married in Savannah in the family of dear 
friends of ours, and when the war broke out at once 
placed his unquestioned engineering abilities at the 
service of the government. 

On one of my visits to the city I was persuaded 
by my brother, Dr. Sorrel, to stay the night and 
attend a reception at the President's. It was inter- 
esting and striking. The highest and most brilliant 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 69 

of the Southland were there; bright, witty, confi- 
dent, carrying everything with a high hand. The 
men generally in full uniform and the women in 
finery, that seems somehow always to turn up for 
them under all circumstances. After presentation 
to Mr. and Mrs. Davis I had a good look at that 
remarkable man. A most interesting study, calm 
and self-contained, gracious with some sternness; 
his figure was straight, slim and elegant. A 
well-poised, ample head was faced with high-bred 
features and an expression that could be very win- 
ning and agreeable. His wife, Varina, was a rather 
large woman, handsome and brilliant, a bit inclined 
to be caustic of speech, but withal a good and 
gracious help to her husband. 

Her devotion when he was a prisoner was later 
beautifully manifested. Senators and Congressmen 
were there in abundance. Our own representative, 
Julien Hartridge, characteristically indifferent to 
such assemblages, was taking his pleasure elsewhere. 

Mr. Benjamin was a most interesting character — 
a short, squatty Jewish figure. His silvery speech 
charmed all hearers with its wit, persiflage and 
wisdom. His wonderful legal abilities made him 
facile princeps in equity law. His after career was 
extraordinary. When the collapse of the Confed- 
erate Army came he was still in Mr. Davis's Cabinet 
and joined his chief in flight. Separating, however, 
Benjamin escaped to one of the West India Islands 
and thence to London. It seems his nativity had 
actually been in a British Colony, and this fact and 
his great legal acquirements, with some routine 
attendance at the courts, quickly permitted his 



70 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

admittance to the bar and he was Q. C. in almost no 
time. He immediately took up an immense special 
practise and made much money. 

I had the pleasure of meeting him in 1872 in 
Paris, at a breakfast given by Mr. Francis Corbin 
in his splendid hotel on the Faubourg St. Germain. 
Needless to say, Mr. Benjamin was delightful. 

It was on one of these visits to my brother that 
I nearly came to trouble. I intended to ride back 
to camp quite early, but he had visits for me to make 
with him and pressed me so affectionately that I 
was late in starting back. Then a furious storm of 
rain and wind nearly drowned my good horse and 
myself and I was concerned for the late hour at 
which I finally reported to my chief. I found him 
provoked at my absence, because much had hap- 
pened. In the afternoon a council of war had 
agreed with the commander-in-chief to attack 
McClellan the next morning. The opportunity was 
a good one because McClellan had posted his iforces 
so that the Chickahominy cut them in two and they 
might be destroyed in detail. I was not too late, 
however, for the duties, and both Longstreet and 
myself were soon in good humor again. Orders 
for the dispositions of the troops were quickly gotten 
out and the time and line of march given. We had 
six strong brigades and D. H. Hill's four were to 
join us under Longstreet, besides a strong force of 
artillery and a body of cavalry on the right. When 
the day came (May 31) the movement began, and 
never was the opening for battle more unsatisfactory. 

The same storm that put McClellan's army in 
decided peril by destroying his bridges and cutting 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 71 

communication between his two wings, impeded our 
march at every step. Little rivulets were now 
raging torrents. 

Bridges had to be improvised and causeways 
made by which the column could be moved. Every- 
thing seemingly lost us time, and our attack, instead 
of being early in the day, was delayed until 4 P. M. 
There shall be no attempt to describe or discuss this 
battle. G. W. Smith with a large command was on 
our left. General Johnston with him and Major- 
General Huger with a strong division was expected 
to support our right, but for some reason we did 
not get it. D. H. Hill with his four brigades and 
our six, attacked with great fury. Smith's attack on 
the left was retarded and unsuccessful. We made 
quick progress, but with heavy losses in our ten fine 
brigades. The enemy could not stand before them 
and Casey's division, posted at Seven Points, gave 
way after heavy losses and was crushed. Cannon 
and colors fell into our hands. Darkness was then 
coming on and no supports, much to Longstreet's 
chagrin. Further attack on our part was deferred 
until the morning. Meantime, while Smith was 
making on the left his abortive attack, our gallant 
General Joseph E. Johnston had been struck down 
by a severe wound and borne from the field. The 
second in command was G. W. Smith, but as opera- 
tions for the day had ceased there was no occasion 
for him to make any change in existing dispositions 
of the troops, and Gen. Robert E. Lee was the next 
day placed in command of the Army of Northern 
Virginia. 

Seven Pines should under all circumstances have 
been a magnificent victory for us. It was really far 



72 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

from that, and while encouraging the soldiers in 
fighting and the belief in their ability to beat the 
enemy, it was waste of life and a great disappoint- 
ment. 

Walton, of Longstreet's staff, was wounded in 
the head, the bullet making a long furrow in his bald 
scalp. Here we saw for the first time the German 
Von Borcke, who, attached later to Stuart's cavalry, 
made some reputation. He had just arrived and 
could not speak a word of English; was splendidly 
mounted on a powerful sorrel and rode well. He 
was an ambulating arsenal. A double-barreled rifle 
was strapped across his back, a Winchester carbine 
hung by his hip, heavy revolvers were in his belt, 
right and left side; an enormous straight double- 
edged sharp-pointed cuirasseur's saber hung together 
with sabertasche to his left thigh, and a short 
"couteau de chasse" finished up his right. Besides, 
his English army saddle bore two large holsters, one 
for his field-glasses, the other for still another 
revolver, bigger and deadlier than all the others. 
Von Borcke was a powerful creature — a tall, blonde, 
active giant. When I next saw him he had 
discarded — taught by experience — all his arsenal 
except his good saber and a couple of handy revol- 
vers. He stayed with us to the end and received 
an ugly wound in the throat. 



CHAPTER VIII 

Battles of the Chickahominy, June 26 
TO July 2, 1862. 

General Lee in command — Sketch — Reinforced — Preparing for 
campaign — General Lee's staff — Longstreet second in com- 
mand — His division — Artillery reorganized — Washington 
Artillery of New Orleans — Colonel E. P. Alexander 
commanding artillery — General W. W. Mackall reports — 
Sketch — Civilian prisoners at Fort Warren — General Miles 
and President Davis — The battles around Richmond— 
McClellan's defeat — Stonewall Jackson not on time — Ochil- 
tree and Eastern fighting — Lord Edward St. Maur a visitor 
— McClellan on James River in position — Later we take 
again positions by Richmond. 

When General Lee took command it was my first 
sight of him. He had been employed in the north- 
west Virginia mountains, on the South Atlantic 
Coast, and at Richmond, generally as adviser to the 
President. His appearance had, it seems, changed. 
Up to a short time before Seven Pines he had worn 
for beard only a well-kept moustache, soon turned 
from black to grizzled. When he took us in hand 
his full gray beard was growing, cropped close, and 
always well tended. An unusually handsome man, 
he has been painted with brush and pen a hundred 
times, but yet there is always something to say of 
that noble, unostentatious figure, the perfect poise 
of head and shoulders and limbs, the strength that 
lay hidden and the activity that his fifty-five years 
could not repress. Withal graceful and easy, he 



74 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

was approachable by all ; gave attention to all in the 
simplest manner. His eyes — sad eyes! the saddest 
it seems to me of all men's — beaming the highest 
intelligence and with unvarying kindliness, yet with 
command so firmly set that all knew him for the 
unquestioned chief. He loved horses and had good 
ones, and rode carefully and safely, but I never liked 
his seat. The General was always well dressed in 
gray sack-coat of Confederate cloth, matching trou- 
sers tucked into well-fitting riding-boots — the sim- 
plest emblems of his rank appearing, and a good, 
large black felt army hat completed the attire of our 
commander. He rarely wore his sword, but his 
binoculars were always at hand. Fond of the com- 
pany of ladies, he had a good memory for pretty 
girls. His white teeth and winning smile were 
irresistible. While in Savannah and calling on my 
father, one of my sisters sang for him. Afterwards, 
in Virginia, almost as soon as he saw me he asked 
after his "little singing-bird.'' 

The touch of the leader's hand was soon apparent 
in the reorganization of the army and its increased 
strength. The Administration reposing a perfect 
confidence in Lee, gave him all he asked for in men 
and material that could be furnished. It is proper 
to add that so moderate was the man and so fully 
understanding the situation and difficulties of sup- 
ply, that he rarely asked for what could not be given 
him. His staff was small and efficient. I suppose 
that at this date there are some hundreds of men 
in the South who call themselves members of Lee's 
staff, and so they were if teamsters, sentry men, 
detailed quartermasters (commissary men), couriers 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 75 

and orderlies, and all the rest of the following of 
general headquarters of a great army are to be so 
considered. But by staff we usually confine our- 
selves to those responsible officers immediately 
about a general, and Lee had selected carefully. 
Four majors (afterwards lieutenant-colonels and 
colonels) did his principal work. Walter Taylor, 
from the Virginia Military Institute, was adjutant- 
general, and better could not be found for this 
important post. 

Charles Venable, a scholar and mathematician, 
and with some study of strategy, together with 
Charles Marshall, a distinguished lawyer by inherit- 
ance from his ancestor, the Chief Justice, and his 
own attainments, did much of the correspondence 
under dictation. Talcot was the engineer officer, 
and Long, of the old Army, a close friend of the 
General, was ranked as military secretary and did 
various duties. At a later date Brig.-Gen. R. H. 
Chilton, A. A. G., was assigned to confidential duties 
with the General, and was sometimes called chief 
of staff. But Lee really had no such chief about 
him. The officer practically nearest its duties was 
his extremely efficient adjutant-general, W. H. 
Taylor. 

Maj. H. E. Young was also attached later — an ex- 
cellent officer. There were possibly one or two 
young lieutenants for personal aids, but this was 
Lee's staff, although perhaps I have made some 
omissions. Of course it does not include the import- 
ant administrative officers like Cole, chief commis- 
sary; Corley, chief quartermaster; Doctor Guild, 
medical director, and his chiefs of ordnance and 
other organizations. 



76 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Longstreet was second in command and it soon 
became apparent that he was to be quite close to 
Lee. His camps and bivouacs were near by the 
General's, and thus my acquaintance with him and 
his staff became quite free and I was often honored 
by the kind interest of the Commander-in-Chief. 

In the new organization Longstreet had a power- 
ful division of six brigades, and A. P. Hill (major- 
general) one of six, also a fine body which Hill 
happily christened as the Light Division. The artil- 
lery was much improved, and loose batteries were 
gathered and organized into well-found battalions, 
generally of four batteries of six guns each, and a 
battalion assigned to each division. The celebrated 
Washington Artillery of New Orleans was given 
to us, and glad we were to have such gunners. 
E. P. Alexander commanded in reserve a fine bat- 
talion of six batteries and was to do much good 
service with it. 

A word about this splendid fellow. He was from 
Georgia and a dear friend of mine. Leaving West 
Point with very high honors, he was immediately 
commissioned into the Engineers, and sent to the 
Pacific, whence he came South to fight. His was 
the happiest and most hopeful nature. He was sure 
of winning in everything he took up, and never 
did he open his guns on the enemy but that he knew 
he should maul him into smithereens. An accom- 
plished engineer, he was often called on both by 
Lee and Longstreet for technical work and special 
reconnoitering. His future in peace, after Appo- 
mattox, was varied and distinguished, and he still is 
with us, eager, enthusiastic, most interesting, and of 
undiminished abilities. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 77 

The Washington Artillery was an ancient and 
wealthy organization of New Orleans, numbering 
five well-equipped, well-manned batteries. There 
were many men of wealth and family serving as 
gunners. Four batteries under Colonel Walton came 
to Virginia, the fifth was sent West. Walton was 
large and imposing in appearance, looking, as in- 
deed did the whole battalion, rather French. This 
arose from their uniform, which from "kepi" to 
gaiters was handsomely French, and made them 
very fine beside our homespun infantry fellows. It 
was a most efficient organization, serving with 
Longstreet throughout the war; it always did good 
service and constantly distinguished itself most 
conspicuously. 

Our own staff will not be touched on just yet, 
preferring to wait for the creation of the two army 
corps in October, when we were put in more perma- 
nent shape for the remainder of the war. At present 
there had been but few additions to it, since Long- 
street's command was limited to a single brigade, 
and the staff work consequently was sometimes hard 
on us. 

I think it was in this month, September, that I 
rode to one of the lower landings of the James to 
meet General Mackall, my brother-in-law. He had 
been a prisoner of war at Fort Warren near Boston, 
and was to land, exchanged with some others from 
the Federal steamer. He was quite well and I sent 
him on to Richmond, where Doctor Sorrel saw to 
his comfort. Mackall married my father's eldest 
daughter. He was an army man out of West 
Point, and an able, accomplished soldier. He should 



78 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

have achieved much in the Confederate war, but 
circumstances were against him. When it broke out 
he was lieutenant-colonel in the Adjutant-General's 
Department, considered a very enviable billet. Sta- 
tioned on the Pacific, his intimates were J. E. John- 
ston, J. F. Gilmer, Halleck, and others of that type, 
A Marylander, he was under no secession compul- 
sion; but he had a fiery old Virginia father as well 
as his wife's Southern family to draw him there, 
with the reluctance so natural to those ofBcers of 
feeling — proud of their little army, no raving State's 
rights man, but wanting the Union, always the 
Union. It could not be otherwise. 

The Marylander had a tedious time in Richmond 
waiting for active service suitable to his abilities. 
At last he was sent to report to A. S. Johnston at 
Bowling Green, Kentucky. After Shiloh, at Beau- 
regard's earnest request, he was made brigadier- 
general and ordered to hold Island No. lo, a fortified 
position in the Mississippi, immediately to fall by 
reason of other combinations. In less than a week 
after assuming command the inevitable happened. 
The island was surrendered and the garrison made 
prisoners of war. Mackall was sent to Fort Warren, 
from which he was exchanged in 1863. He then 
took duty with Bragg's army as chief of staff; and 
after Bragg with J. E. Johnston, one of his dearest 
friends, until the General was supplanted by Hood. 
Mackall was afterwards given a command at Mobile, 
from which, however, he soon had to withdraw his 
force by reason of the successes of the Federal fleet. 
And there, I think, his active service ended. He 
was of a high order of mind and of the finest and 



i 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 79 

nicest elevation of character; there was something 
supercritical, however, that would stand in his way 
without reason. 

When General Mackall was exchanged out of 
Fort Warren he told me of two other prisoners, 
civilians, Andrew Low and Charles Green. The 
latter had married my cousin, and both were 
Englishmen of the regular holdfast, energetic type. 
They constituted the most important business house 
in Savannah, were making quantities of money, but 
had quarrelled and were about separating on the 
worst terms, when Seward's detectives, suspicious of 
their movements (they had both married in Savannah 
and were truly Southern and Confederate), clapped 
them in Fort Warren. There by the irony of fate they 
were the sole occupants of the same casemate, these 
quondam friends, now bitter, non-speaking enemies. 
The situation was difficult and rather enjoyed by 
some gentlemen outside who knew of the partners' 
troubles. 

Treatment of prisoners of war at Fort Warren 
(Boston Harbor) appears to have been proper and 
unobjectionable. The governor. Colonel Dimmock, 
was a gentleman and knew what was due to his own 
reputation, as well as what his prisoners had a right 
to expect. There were marked contrasts elsewhere, 
as at Fort Johnston, but in all the four years there 
was yet to be found a prison commandant surpassing 
the brutalities of Miles. His chief distinction then 
appears to have been in manacling the helpless 
President of the Confederate States, who was 
advanced in years, feeble in health, with no friends 
near, and that in the strongest fortress in the United 



80 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

States, with a large garrison and a guard literally 
standing over the prisoner night and day, and not 
a Confederate organized force in existence. 

Lee was an aggressive general, a fighter. To 
succeed, he knew battles were to be won, and battles 
cost blood, and blood he did not mind in his general's 
work. Although always considerate and sparing of 
his soldiers, he would pour out their blood when 
necessary or when strategically advisable. His 
army had become much strengthened, troops filled 
its ranks from Georgia, South and North Carolina, 
being drawn from the coast, where they were doing 
nothing. His divisions had among them Long- 
street's, A. P. Hill's, Magruder's, D. H. Hill's, 
McLane's, D. R. Jones's, Huger's, and Whiting's — 
a splendid force, nearly eighty thousand men, 
including Jackson's. The latter was in the Valley, 
soon to be with us. Lawton had just taken his 
immense brigade of six thousand men from Savan- 
nah to reinforce him, and the Georgians were having 
some lively marching and fighting in ^'Stonewall" 
Jackson's way. It was evident that the General was 
soon to make his great attack to crush McClellan, 
whose dispositions were so faulty as to offer a 
tempting mark. His army greatly outnumbered 
ours. He had thrown it across the Chickahominy 
and its two wings were again exposed. There were 
quiet but intense preparations for the important 
movement. 

It was of great extent and covered nearly seven 
days. Jackson was to move secretly and swiftly 
from the Valley and join Lee in the attack on the 
Federal right. He was late, and when Lee crossed 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 81 

at Mechanicsville, June 26, A. P. Hill was thrown 
at the defenses on Beaver Dam, and was nearly 
sacrificed. His losses w^ere pitiable, as were D. H. 
Hill's in the same attack. Had Jackson been in posi- 
tion the enemy would have melted before us. He 
had promised to be there on the morning of the 26th. 
On the 27th, Longstreet, A. P. Hill, Whiting, and 
others stormed the heights at Gaines's Mill, suffer- 
ing heavy loss, but defeating the enemy badly, tak- 
ing many prisoners, guns and colors, and driving 
him in panic after the retreating McClellan. There 
was great maneuvering on the 26th, and a severe 
combat at Savage's Station. On the 30th the enemy 
showed front at Fraser's Farm, and Longstreet, sup- 
ported by A. P. Hill, instantly attacked with great 
fury. The enemy was stubborn and contested every 
foot. Jackson was to be with us, and had he been, 
our success was undoubted, but for some reason he 
could not get through White Oak Swamp, and de- 
nied us. Of Huger on the right we also heard noth- 
ing. The combination had failed. The enemy was 
thus suffered to escape, but with heavy loss. Our 
own was far from light. 

Malvern Hill followed with its bloody fields and 
crest. The reckoning there was awful and appar- 
ently for no good. McClellan abandoned the hill 
at night and soon found himself safe at Harrison's 
Landing under cover of his cruisers and gun-boats. 
His army was beaten and dispirited and the siege 
of Richmond broken up ; but "Little Mac" raised a 
faint cry of partial victory and did not fail to tor- 
ment poor Mr. Lincoln for more men ; "heavy rein- 
forcements could alone save the army," etc. 



82 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Jackson's firmest friends have been obliged to 
admit some faults in their hero. As to these move- 
ments — either from miscalculation or something 
else, he was fatally late on the 26th. That he was 
not on hand at Fraser's Farm was also a serious 
disaster. Some of Munford's cavalry had got 
through White Oak Swamp, bad as it was with a 
heavy rain falling, and it would seem that a soldier 
so great and energetic as Jackson would have found 
means to push through to the help of fighting, hard- 
pressed comrades. It is possible that he was over- 
done wuth work and fatigue, but his men should 
have been there as planned. 

I saw him on the 28th, and he seemed brisk 
enough. Longstreet had sent me after Gaines's 
Mill to find him and establish connections and com- 
munications. He was cheerful and pleasant. "Ex- 
plain, Major, to General Longstreet where I am 
and how my troops are lying, and say, with my 
compliments, I am ready to obey any orders he may 
send me." When I set out to find him, Tom Ochiltree, 
fresh and breezy from Texas, was with us for a week 
as a volunteer by Longstreet's consent. Ochiltree 
said, that familiar with fighting in Texas, he wanted 
to see how we did it in the East. He had also a 
great desire to see the celebrated ''Stonewall" before 
returning home. He asked permission to ride with 
me. We trotted off together, our route taking us 
by an extensive field-infirmary, where the surgeons 
were at their bloody work on the wounded. We 
halted for a few minutes. The scene was sickening 
and cured Ochiltree of battle sights. " Sorrel," he 
said very seriously, ''this gives me enough; I don't 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 83 

want a*ny more. It seems now I have seen every- 
thing — too much, nothing for me to do here. Bet- 
ter for me to ride back to Richmond and take train 
for Texas. Sorry not to see ^Stonewall/ but I travel 
the other way. Good-by and good luck to you." 
And off he went after just about four days' service 
with the Confederates in the East. 

During these movements there was a young 
Englishman with us, our guest. He had brought 
letters to authorities in Richmond. It was Lord 
Edward St. Maur, a scion of the ducal house of 
Somerset. He was about twenty-one, just from the 
University, where he had taken high honors, and 
was around now with an Englishman's curiosity. 
A singularly handsome young man he was, with 
pure olive skin and beautiful features. He was al- 
ways courteous, always reserved. He came as a 
neutral for observation, and in all the freedom of 
our fighting week and rough bivouacs nothing 
stirred him from that attitude. In truth, I don't 
think he approved of us. I afterwards heard he was 
something of a prig but destined for high political 
life. The battle of Eraser's Earm broke out in the 
afternoon with great suddenness and severity. I 
had given St. Maur a mount and we happened to be 
on the line among the men when firing began, but 
notwithstanding the cannonading and heavy mus- 
ketry he was quite cool. "This is not my place," 
he said, "and with your permission I shall retire," 
doing so with entire deliberation ; he so placed him- 
self as to see something and we talked it over when 
we met at night. When McClellan took cover at 
Harrison's Landing, St. Maur was given an officer 



r. 



84 ' RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

and flag of truce and soon landed in the home of his 
fathers. A very careful, neutral chap. I was sorry 
for his end — hunting big game in India soon after, 
he was mauled and eaten by a tiger. 

When McClellan was safely at Harrison's Land- 
ing under cover of heavy guns (some fifteen-inch 
spherical shell), there was nothing to keep our army 
there. Besides, it left Richmond somewhat exposed 
from the direction of Fredericksburg. General Lee, 
therefore, gave the word and we were soon again in, 
or near, our old positions. Everything was made 
ship-shape, the wounded mending and returning to 
duty, damages repaired, and the waste of that extra- 
ordinary movement and series of battles made good 
as best could be. McClellan could not now see the 
spires of Richmond from his headquarters. Addi- 
tional reinforcements were brought from the South 
in preparation for Lee's next move, for he was not 
the man to stay idly behind defenses when there 
was an enemy about that he might hopefully strike. 
Longstreet's division of six brigades was in fine con- 
dition, with filling ranks, and so was A. P. Hill's 
Light Division, which lay near us, and thereby 
hangs a tale which must be recited, I fear, at some 
little length. 



CHAPTER IX 
Rivalry and More Reminiscences. 

Longstreet's andA. P. Hill's divisions — Rivalry between the two 
— Publications in Richmond Examiner and Whig — General 
Hill resentful — Refuses recognition of Longstreet's adju- 
tant-general — Hill in arrest — Personal difficulty between 
the two major-generals adjusted by General Lee's influence 
— General Hill cherishes no rancor — Later gave me a brig- 
ade — Army busy drilling — Quartermaster Potts and Major 
Fairfax — Books among the troops — Gambling. 

There was some rivalry between the two splendid 
divisions. Each had done its full share of fighting 
in the recent battles and each had won glory and 
renown. Hill had handled his men well and fought 
them gallantly. Needless to say how Longstreet 
had held his men, as it were, in the hollow of his 
hand (his abilities for handling large bodies under 
fire being remarkable), and how his never- failing 
valor and tenacity had supported them. The papers 
came out of Richmond daily, with fetching head- 
lines and columns of description giving the events 
of the previous day. One of the widest read of 
these was The Examiner, very brilliantly edited. It 
seemed to have taken Hill's division under its special 
favor. Every movement was chronicled, every 
clash of arms, no matter how trifling, was written 
up, and the grand movements and actions of the 
division given such prominence as to dwarf all other 
commands. There was some feeling growing up 
about it, especially since it was known that a news- 
paper man from The Examiner ofBce was serving 



86 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

temporarily on Hill's staff. Nothing was then done 
about the matter, but Longstreet's young staff 
officers were quite at the fighting point, as our 
division had come in for some animadversions in 
The Examiner. 

After the short campaign, while we were occupy- 
ing some of our old positions about Richmond, Hill 
lying near by, under command of Longstreet, the 
latter came one day to me with a rough draft of a 
short communication to The Whig, a Richmond 
paper. It flatly contradicted The Examiner, so far 
as Longstreet's division was concerned, and criti- 
cized the major-general who could suffer such 
reports to emanate from his own staff; it was short 
but positive. Longstreet asked if I objected to send 
such a communication to The Whig, signed by 
myself officially, as adjutant-general. He would 
answer for it, because I should not be expected alone 
to attack or criticize my superior officer. I was only 
too willing to carry out these wishes. The little 
note was prepared for the press and published in 
The Whig. It was stiff, but with military civility, 
and made some comment on the taste of having such 
correspondents along with military operations. It 
was not regarded as offensive, but was certainly 
pointed in some contradiction. To my regret I have 
no copy. 

Such was the bomb-shell that was to burst over us 
in a few days. Having occasion for some routine 
report or information from General A. P. Hill, a 
note was sent him for it in the usual form. It was 
returned endorsed that "General Hill declined to 
hold further communication with Major Sorrel." 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 87 

Of course I was surprised, but it was apparent that 
trouble was brewing and that Longstreet must show 
his hand. The note was handed him and he was 
at once on fire at such disobedience. ^'Write him 
again/' said he, "and say that note was written by 
my command, and must be answered satisfactorily." 
To this Hill insisted on holding to his refusal. 
The correspondence was then taken up by Long- 
street personally with Hill. I did not see the letters, 
but several passed, until finally, a day or two later. 
General Longstreet came to me with, "Major, you 
will be good enough to put on your sword and sash, 
mount, and place Major-General Hill in arrest, with 
orders to confine himself to limits of his camp and 
vicinity." It was my first duty of that kind with 
such rank, but I was soon on my way, followed by 
an orderly. The General was in his tent seated in 
a low chair, and rose as I entered, returning stifiiy 
my salute. Bowing, when I had communicated the 
orders, he resumed his chair without speech, and 
saluting again, I was quickly on the road to my 
own friendly camp. I know only by hearsay what 
took place afterwards. It was kept quite out of 
reach of the staff and confined to the two principals. 
Certain it is, however, that some angry letters passed 
and intimate friends (D. H. Hill and Toombs for 
Longstreet) were called in and a hostile meeting 
between the two generals was almost certain. 
General Lee, however, heard of it, and acted quickly 
and effectively, using his unvarying tact and great 
influence. He brought matters, through other 
friends, to an adjustrnent honorable to both. A 
few days later General Hill's division was shifted 



88 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

out of reach of Longstreet's command and nothing 
more was known of the affair. Later on Longstreet 
and Hill became fairly good friends, but I naturally 
supposed I had incurred his hatred. For a year or 
two we did not meet — his division being in Jack- 
son's corps — except occasionally on the march, and 
then the General's manner seemed to me stiff and 
menacing. If so, it was only the manner, not the 
feeling, because in 1864 I received from General 
Hill the very highest evidence of his appreciation 
and friendliness. On several occasions previously, 
Longstreet recommended me for promotion to com- 
mand, and it must necessarily be to a brigade of 
Georgians. But where a brigadier was wanted for 
them, there were always good colonels of long- 
service in the brigade that properly gained the 
preference. This was so general that I despaired 
of leaving the staff for higher promotion, until one 
day in September, 1864, a commission of brigadier- 
general came to me with orders to report to Lieut.- 
Gen. A. P. Hill. 

My preparations began at once for the change and 
it was necessary for me to go to the War Depart- 
ment, Richmond. There I found in the Adjutant- 
General's Office Capt. John W. Reilly, A. A. G., a 
fine young Virginia officer, who had once served 
under me. 

"Did you ever see. General, the paper that brought 
about your promotion ?" It was entirely new to me. 
He drew from a file a letter from Gen. A. P. Hill, 
commenting on the bad condition of his fine Georgia 
Brigade, which, left without a brigadier by the 
wounds of Wright and the death of Girardy, was 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 8^ 

then in the hands of a brave but incompetent colonel. 
He concluded by asking with great earnestness that 
Lieutenant-Colonel Sorrel, of Longstreet's corps, 
should be promoted and sent to him. The letter 
was referred to General Lee for his opinion and then 
passed between the Adjutant-General, the Secretary 
of War, and the President, who finally scrawled, 
"Make the appointment, J. D." 

I tried to get the paper from Reilly as an auto- 
graphic souvenir, but it was against orders and I 
Was obliged to content myself with a certified copy. 
"It never rains but it pours;" some days after, 
Major-General Kershaw wrote me that he (Ker- 
shaw) had asked for my promotion to command one 
of his Georgia brigades. 

Hill was a West Point man of medium height, a 
light, good figure, and most pleasing soldierly 
appearance. He surely handled his division on all 
occasions with great ability and courage and justly 
earned high reputation. When Lee created the 
Third Army Corps he placed him in command of 
it, and it was thought Hill did not realize in that 
high position all that was hoped of him. 

His health was impaired toward the close of the 
war, and his noble life ended by a stray bullet at 
Petersburg after withdrawal of the lines. It was 
unnecessary and he should have had years before 
him. It is not necessary to say how much I appre- 
ciated his action toward myself. It proved him 
magnanimous and free of petty spite in that affair, 
and such was his nature. When I reported to him 
no one could have been more warmly welcomed, and 
thenceforward I had nothing but kindness and the 
most valuable support and help while with his corps. 



90 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

A. P. Hill was very close to both Generals Lee and 
Stonewall Jackson at different times. Perhaps only 
a coincidence, but certainly significant it is, that, the 
last dying words of the two military chiefs were said 
to be of Hill. "Send word to A. P. Hill," whispered 
the expiring Jackson. "Tell Hill he must come up," 
were the last words on Lee's lips. 

July and early August, 1862, were busy months. 
In front of Richmond General Lee kept the army 
well exercised in drill and the new men had to get 
into shape. Our staff work had been severe and 
our horses had suffered. I was obliged to keep two 
good mounts at least, sometimes more. It was here 
I fell in love with a perfect little stallion named 
Voltaire, and paid a round price for him; he soon 
proved too delicate for army work and I gave him 
to my brother in Richmond. There he should have 
thriven, but I think soon went to pieces. I succeeded 
in finding a handsome, powerful chestnut mare, 
from which I got good service until she was killed 
at Gettysburg. Longstreet was admirably mounted 
on two bays ; one he had brought to the army with 
him, the other, a finer beast, was a present from 
Major Fairfax, whose horse judgment was excellent. 
For himself, he rode a superb gray stallion, "Saltron," 
widely known, which he had raised at his Lou- 
doun estate. Fairfax lost him at Sharpsburg. A 
round shot struck him under the tail, fairly in the 
fundament, and it was at once all over with the 
stallion. Fairfax was excitable, and rushing to 
Longstreet, sitting grimly on his horse directing the 
battle, he broke out, "General, General, my horse is 
killed; Saltron is shot; shot right in the back!" 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 91 

Longstreet gave the Major a queer look and con- 
soled him with, ''Never mind, Major, you ought to 
be glad you are not shot in your own back !" 

Frank Potts, a quartermaster in the corps, tells a 
story of these two. Fairfax messed General Long- 
street, took good care of all his wants, and kept him 
in whiskey and in all else that was needful. Potts 
says that in one of the campaigns he had parked his 
animals and wagons in a nice spot by the roadside 
at a good hour and everything was made snug for 
the night's bivouac until the early march next morn- 
ing. Suddenly he saw a figure galloping wildly 
across the fields to him, taking fences and ditches 
as he came. "Now," grumbled Potts, ''it's a move; 
here are the orders coming." It was Major Fairfax 
in full uniform. He pulled up sharply before the 
quartermaster, saluted, and then, "Captain Potts, 
can you tell me where a washerwoman is to be found 
for General Longstreet?" relieved the Irishman and 
tickled his humor. 

During the war the men were without many 
books and eagerly clung to a novel when one came 
their way. Many old volumes were sent from home, 
but they did not go far among such numbers. 
Victor Hugo's "Les Miserables," and Muhlbach's 
novels, translated from the German, and reprinted 
at Mobile, had begun to appear and were devoured 
by readers. Later on, after Gettysburg, Free- 
mantle's "Three Months in the Southern States" 
was reprinted at Mobile and widely read. These 
old volumes are now a curiosity and not to be had 
except at great price. The dirty old type, blurred 
and worn, the rough paper with florid designs, all 



92 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

attested the stress of the Confederacy in everything 
entering into life. Among the soldiers in camp 
there was the usual gambling going on ; they played 
some odd sorts of games, but the greasiest packs of 
cards were their stand-by. 

One day Longstreet received a note from General 
Lee, after a ride through our camps. This informed 
the corps commander that he regretted to see so 
much gambling among the men; they nearly all 
seemed absorbed in a game called "Chuck-a-luck." 
"Could anything be done to better the matter?" 
Longstreet had served much with soldiers, and knew 
they would, many of them, gamble in camp in spite 
of all orders and watching; never yet had he found 
anything that would completely cure the evil. He 
would, however, see what could be done — but 
nothing came of it. 



CHAPTER X 

Second Battle of Manassas, August 29 
AND 30, 1862. 

Major-General Pope in command of Union troops in Northern 
Virginia — Religious observances in our army — Homesick- 
ness — Furloughs — Rations — March against Pope — Artil- 
lery duel at Rappahannock — Spy captured and hung — Jack- 
son's marches — Thoroughfare Gap — Longstreet's attack — 
Enemy routed — General Wilcox and Union general — Wil- 
cox's and Couch's baptismals — Brig-Gen. A. G. Evans — 
General Toombs and the picket — His arrest — Released and 
joins brigade in the fight. 

McClellan still lay at Westover, recruiting and 
reorganizing. It was apparent that his army would 
not be long in that position. Confidence in him 
had been lost, and there was a new paladin in the 
field, the doughty John Pope, major-general, with 
''Headquarters in the saddle." He was a man of 
some ability, but did not have a reputation for high 
character in the old Army; and now with elevated 
rank and command thrust upon him, he turned into 
abuse of his enemy, explained how he meant to whip 
him, and filled the air with bombast and threaten- 
ing. He was in command in northern Virginia, and 
Lee had marked him for his own. 

We were rather a devout army. The men came 
from their homes deeply tinged with religion. 
Methodists were in large numbers and next to them 
Baptists and Presbyterians. There were many 



94 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

meetings and addresses conducted by worthy chap- 
lains. These devoted ministers could always be 
counted on to follow beside their men, in camp or 
on the firing line. The men were fond of hearing 
in camp any kind of address, and were an easy prey 
to sharpers. I recall that some years later, on the 
Petersburg line, a crank came along with what he 
called an artis-avis (a bird of art) with him, and 
some fifty thousand like it; he was to drop a shell 
into Grant's army and fleet and destroy them ! He 
wanted permission to address my men and solicit 
cash for building his wonderful birds. He was sent 
out of camp. The soldiers were fond of chanting 
hymns and quaint old plantation airs, and at times 
they were touching with the recollections of home. 
Homesickness was often very prevalent, and the 
awful nostalgia came near crippling us. There is 
a general order from Longstreet on that matter 
somewhere and I may be able to find it to attach to 
these leaves. 

At this date, July and August, 1862, food was 
plentiful and good. No variety, but fresh beef or 
bacon, flour, coffee and sugar were issued in full 
rations. There was an abundance of whiskey, but 
comparatively little drunkenness. Encouragement 
and incentives to good conduct came from the 
General-in-Chief down through the officers. Pre- 
vious to the Chickahominy Campaign a balloon had 
been constructed for reconnoitering. The enemy 
had several and we also wanted one, so the women — 
Heaven bless them ! — came to the front with, it may 
be, tearful eyes but willing hearts and chipped in 
all their pretty silk frocks and gowns. It was a 



4 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 95 

wonderfully picturesque balloon and at first did 
some little service, captive to a locomotive pushed 
far to the front. Then it was packed on a little 
steamboat m an adventurous cruise down the Tames 
She ran aground, was gobbled up, with the bright 
ball-dress balloon, by the delighted Yankees, and 
that was the last of the pretty things of our sisters 
sweethearts, and wives. 

But the march against Pope is now beginning and 
must have a little space. The movement was masked 
as much as possible, a few troops only being at first 
concentrated at Gordonsville by rail. Lee collected 
then his outlying commands with great skill and 
started m earnest against his braggart opponent. 
J^-ope seems to have quite underestimated or disbe- 
lieved what was awaiting him, and his dispositions 
were all m favor of Lee. His first rude awakening 
was the shock Jackson gave him at Cedar Mountain 
very costly to him; but we lost Charles Winder one 
of the finest and most promising of the brigadiers. 
i tie march of the army was in tactical language "left 
in front," Jackson's position throwing him on the 
left; and this formation was necessarily observed by 
all the commands of the army. In these operations 
Stuart and his cavalry were exceedingly active and 

T^'nl^ •'"°'* ^^'"^'''^ '^'''''^- Our command, 
the full division, and two smaller ones under D R 
Jones and N. G. Evans, came to a halt hunting a 
ford on the Rappahannock and found a strong force 
of the enemy, with good artillery, at the railroad 
bridge. The gunners (ours the Washington Artil- 
lery) on both sides took up an artillery due'l for nearly 
all day, but nothing decisive was achieved We 
forded the river in another place without opposition 



96 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

It was in these operations that a spy was taken. 
He had murdered one of our cavalry couriers, and 
was caught almost red-handed, and with papers on 
him compromising- enough to hang a dozen spies. 
Nevertheless, we gave him a trial. I convened a 
drum-head court martial of three brigadiers and they 
sentenced him to be hanged immediately. The 
wretch was mounted, arms tied, on a horse, with the 
noose and limb of a tree connected. He finally 
admitted he was a spy from Loudoun County, Vir- 
ginia, but to the last stuck out he had. not shot the 
cavalry courier. A smart blow with the flat of a 
saber started the horse on the jump and left the spy 
breathless, and there he hung until the army, con- 
tinuing its march, passed almost under the tree and 
perhaps took the lesson to heart. 

Jackson's marches, in swiftness, daring, and 
originality of execution, were almost extraordinary. 
At one time there was great fear for his safety, 
widely separated as he was from the right wing 
under Longstreet. General Lee's route was near 
Longstreet's and night and day he was always close 
to us. Longstreet was delayed by the enemy at 
Thoroughfare Gap. This is a mountain gorge, not 
long, but narrow, rocky, and precipitous. It was 
capable of stubborn defense. Its echoes were won- 
derful — a gun fired in its depths gave forth roars fit 
to bring down the skies. Here Longstreet had to 
stop impatiently until he could work his way 
through. He knew Jackson was hard pressed on 
the other side and praying for a sight of him. It 
took a little time, but we sent a flanking force over 
the mountains by a rocky path and the enemy gave 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 97 

way speedily and left the gap early. Pushing 
through we saw the dust of Jackson's masses miles 
away and heard his guns. Forward we pressed 
almost at a run, and in time. The attack on Stone- 
wall ceased as soon as Longstreet came on the scene. 

This was early enough in the day to permit us in 
turn to make a combined attack. The enemy was 
disheartened, and Jackson's column, although 
fatigued and losing heavily, was triumphant and 
still capable of great efforts. Our own force was 
large, comparatively fresh, and eager to crush John 
Pope, but for some reason the attack was not made, 
although I think General Lee preferred it to waiting. 

The great battle that followed, and all these 
operations covering several days, were called the 
Second Manassas. Some of the ground was iden- 
tical with the first. Most of it lay beautifully for 
good tactical operations, and as the country was 
quite open much could be observed at considerable 
distances. When the enemy's masses began again 
pressing Stonewall on the 30th of August, Long- 
street moved quickly up to support. Their dense 
columns had been left exposed to artillery fire from 
our position and Longstreet instantly saw it. 
Planting a battery in the road, the first shots, 
together with Jackson's incessant fire, began to tell. 

We were near enough to see some wavering in 
the blue masses, then halt, and then a flight back to 
cover. But it was all up with John Pope. No rest 
was given his army. Longstreet started every man 
of us to his division to push them into attack, and 
soon everything was hotly engaged. The easy, 
rounded ridges ran at right angles to the turnpike, 



98 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

and over these infantry and artillery poured in 
pursuit. The artillery would gallop furiously to the 
nearest ridge, limber to the front, deliver a few 
rounds until the enemy were out of range, and then 
a gallop again to the next ridge. And thus it went 
on until black darkness stopped operations — the 
enemy defeated at all points and hastening back to 
the Potomac. Many prisoners, guns, colors, small 
arms, and large quantities of stores and equipments 
fell into our hands. 

J. E. B. Stuart was highly tickled at his capture 
of Pope's wagon and personal effects, including a 
very fine uniform. 

Losses on both sides were heavy. Alas! the 
butcher's bill is always to be paid after these grand 
operations, and at Manassas especially there were 
some splendid young lives laid down for our cause 
and our homes. 

Longstreet was seen at his best during the battle. 
His consummate ability in managing troops was well 
displayed that day and his large bodies of men were 
moved with great skill and without the least con- 
fusion. 

As General C. M. Wilcox was moving forward at 
the head of his brigade in the open field, he was 
attracted by the waving of a handkerchief at some 
little distance. He found time to go to the spot and 
there mortally wounded was a Federal general, 
Wilcox's old army friend, who had recognized the 
Confederate as he passed and wanted to say farewell. 
His soul soon took flight and his body was cared for 
by his old-time comrade — the name is forgotten. 

Wilcox told me that he once officiated at a christ- 
ening with D. N. Couch, afterwards a Federal 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 99 

major-general. Wilcox's baptismals were Cadmus 
Marcellus, and Couch's Darius Narcissus. It is said 
that when these sonorous designations reached the 
parson's ear he almost dropped the baby in round- 
eyed astonishment ! 

N. G. Evans ("Shanks" Evans) had two brigades 
with Longstreet and was a rather marked character. 
A regular soldier, he had served well in Mexico, and 
at Manassas, on July 21, had done exceedingly 
well with a small command, a good eye, and quick 
decision. It was he, too, that commanded at Ball's 
Bluff on the upper Potomac when Baker attempted 
to take it with his fine regiment and lost some 800 
men. Baker was Senator from Oregon and only 
a few days before had addressed the United States 
Senate in full uniform in farewell. It was forever, 
for he died with hundreds of his men in the waters 
of the Potomac. Evans was difficult to manage and 
we found him so. He had a Prussian orderly, with 
a wooden vessel holding a gallon of whiskey always 
strapped on his back, and there was the trouble. At 
the little artillery fight he had on the Rappahannock, 
G. T. Anderson (Tige), commanding one of the 
Georgia brigades, was ordered by Evans to attack 
a powerful battery and silence it. In vain did 
Anderson explain that it was on the far side of a 
deep river and that without a bridge his infantry 
could not get to it. Evans would not listen to reason 
and Anderson came to me. Of course he was told 
to make no such attempt, and I proceeded to hunt 
up Evans, finding him under a tree, too near his 
"Barrelita," as he called his whiskey holder. But 
he had to listen and comply. In the progress of the 
campaign after the Manassas battle he became so 

LofC. 



100 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

unruly as to arrest without reason Hood, one of his 
brigadiers, and Longstreet had to get him out of the 
way in some manner. He disappeared afterwards 
from field work and I don't know his end. He had 
been a very brave, experienced cavalry officer. 
Anderson's indignation at the impossibility of the 
order to take the battery was highly amusing. 

In the early part of the march against Pope we 
made a bivouac near where some Federal cavalry 
were reported to have been prowling. The enemy 
had no troops near by to disturb us except this body 
of horse. It was therefore thought prudent to post 
a regiment at the cross-road which would warn our 
camps. General Toombs was ordered to detail one 
and I saw that it was posted. 

During the night a cavalry picket reported that 
the regiment had been withdrawn. I awoke Long- 
street to ascertain if by his orders. *'No, but place 
immediately in arrest the officer who has done so.'' 
It proved to be Toombs. He was a great lawyer 
and a good politician, but in the wrong place when 
posing as a soldier. He had taken a notion that his 
regiment was not really needed at the cross-road and 
the men would be more comfortable with the others 
in bivouac. 

Toombs was therefore put in arrest and the march 
continued. The next evening on halting it was 
reported to me that he had followed, as was proper, 
in rear of his brigade, but had worn his sword, and 
upon his men going into camp had made them a 
violent speech. I felt called on to make this known 
to General Longstreet, whereupon he directed me to 
order General Toombs back to Gordonsville and con- 
fine himself there; also to prefer charges against him 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER lOl 

on two grounds — withdrawing the regiment from 
picket duty and breaking his arrest. This was done 
and Toombs went back to Gordonsville, not many 
miles away, whence he wrote a short note asking to 
be released of the charge of breaking arrest, saying 
he had worn his sword only for convenience and 
there was nothing improper in his speech to the men. 
Longstreet always had a decided liking for Toombs, 
and upon seeing this note he not only withdrew that 
charge, but the other also and sent him back to duty. 
Knowing that we should soon be engaged he advised 
me to be quick about it if I wanted the Georgian to 
see something of hot work. 

An intelligent courier was sent to Toombs with 
the latest orders, and meantime we were marching 
forward. He returned ; General Toombs was not at 
Gordonsville. I might well have left the matter 
there, but it seemed to me that one of our foremost 
Georgians should have a chance with the army and 
I sent a second man after him; this time he was 
found. The situation was explained to him and he 
was advised to lose no time in joining his men if he 
desired to be with them in the smoke of battle. And 
so Toombs came; late, but just in time to be with 
his brigade in its last victorious charge when every- 
thing, as already described, was turned loose. 

Toombs stuck to the army through Sharpsburg, 
wdiere he did good service, and then returned to more 
congenial fields — politics and oratory. In after 
years he always showed me much kindness and 
appreciation for the trouble I had taken to get him 
back to his brigade for fighting at the Second 
Manassas. 



CHAPTER XI 

Battles of South Mountain (Boonsboro Gap) 
AND Sharpsburg (Antietam), Sept. 

I4TH AND I7TH, 1862. 

Accident to General Lee — To Longstreet also — Fight at Chan- 
tilly — General Kearny killed — Cross the Potomac — Lee's 
confidential order found by McClellan — Straggling. 

When we got back to Virginia and Toombs's 
resignation had gone in, Longstreet sent for me to 
say he had, some time before, about August, 1862, 
recommended me for promotion to brigadier-general. 
That Toombs's retirement now left a Georgia brigade 
open and he wanted me to have it and that I must 
put out for Richmond forthwith and try to work it 
through by help of my Congressman and other 
strong friends. I lost no time about this and was 
soon on the ground. Hartridge, our M. C., did all 
he could in my behalf; but there was no possible 
chance while the brigade had four good colonels, 
well known representative Georgia men, ready each 
for the command. It was given to Colonel, formerly 
Judge, Benning, and his record in command of it 
was excellent. 

The day after great Manassas, General Lee 
suffered a painful accident. It had rained and he 
was wearing a rubber poncho and over-alls, his body 
and legs being thus well protected. With a number 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 103 

of his officers he was dismounted in a thick piece of 
woods, making some disposition for following the 
enemy. His horse, a gentle, intelligent animal, was 
at the General's shoulder, reins on neck; he made 
some slight movement as if to start away, and Lee 
taking a step ahead for the bridle tripped in his 
over-alls and fell forward, not prone, but catching 
on his hands. 

He was instantly on his feet, erect, but his hands 
were badly damaged; one had a small bone broken 
and the other was nearly as bad with the twist and 
strain. Both were put into splints, but were painful 
and most uncomfortable. For some time the saddle 
had to be given up and the ambulance called into 
use. General Lee made the campaign on wheels. 
At Sharpsburg he was far enough cured to allow 
him to ride a little. This accident caused widespread 
report of the General having been wounded, and of 
course the enemy's papers gave facts in detail of the 
serious character of the wound and how it was 
received. 

Some little time afterwards Longstreet also got 
himself damaged. A boot chafed his heel, which 
took on an ugly look and refused to heal. "Peter" 
(this was his West Point sobriquet, much used for 
him by his army friends and to this day not for- 
gotten) therefore was obliged to don a slipper, and 
at Sharpsburg he was in no good humor at such 
footwear and the need of occasionally walking in it. 
In fact, a wobbly carpet slipper was not a good- 
looking thing for a commander on the field. 

General Lee took his army forward to the 
Potomac. Only a detachment of the enemy was 



104 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

encountered by Jackson, and this was at Chantilly, 
where toward dark, and in a furious storm, there was 
a short combat in which Major-General Kearny was 
killed and left in our hands. 

Kearny had been a conspicuous young officer in 
the Mexican War, where he lost an arm, and coming 
of a wealthy New Jersey family had resigned from 
the army and retired to private life. I saw his body 
next morning. It was given up to the enemy at their 
request, and his horse also, I think. He was a small, 
dashing-looking man, possessed, it was thought, of 
considerable military ability. 

After such successes there was a fair prospect of 
driving the enemy out of Washington or bringing 
him to terms. General Lee moved his army into 
Maryland, passing most of the troops across the river 
at White Ford. The soldiers crossed with joyful 
excitement, singing ''My Maryland," and the whole 
round of their musical stock, with bands playing and 
all cheering as well-known officers came in sight. 
Indeed there was some reason for elation and hope. 
The enemy had suffered a serious defeat and was 
driven into his capital, his numbers again very great, 
but of demoralized and raw-recruited men. On the 
other hand, Lee also had a strong army (for Con- 
federate numbers — we had been accustomed to be 
outnumbered). The men were triumphantly rejoic- 
ing and confident, and as they believed were moving 
into the friendly fields of a sister State, whose men 
would surely rise and join us ; and more than all, they 
were commanded by the first General of the day. 

It was early September and delightful marching 
over Maryland's good roads and through her fields 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 105 

of plenty. We had not yet been pushed for food, the 
transport so far having kept us supphed. General 
Lee made a short halt at Frederick City, where we 
took a rest and got loose ends of the army together ; 
and from here began the movement that after two 
bloody battles was to send us disappointed back to the 
Virginia side of the Potomac. 

General Lee there issued his famous confidential 
general order on which the army moved. It pro- 
vided in detail for the march of his troops and his 
objective points. It was so full that when a copy 
came in my possession I wondered what could be 
done with it in event of my falling into the enemy's 
hands. 

By it Jackson was to move to Harper's Ferry and 
capture its large garrison — it was a menace to Lee's 
rear. McLaws was to occupy Maryland Heights, 
and J. G. Walker, Loudoun Heights, in co-operation 
with Jackson. Troops were also sent to Crampton's 
Gap. 

D. H. Hill was to occupy South Mountain, or 
Boonsboro Gap, as it was variously called. Long- 
street's strong column was to be in the vicinity of 
Hagerstown, twelve miles from D. H. Hill's position. 
Proper directions were provided for Stuart's large 
cavalry force. 

The army moved from Frederick under the confi- 
dential order. All should have gone well. The 
programme would have been carried out, the severed 
army reunited, with Harper's Ferry captured as it 
was, and once in front of the already half-beaten 
McClellan (who had succeeded Pope in command of 
the Army of the Potomac), what great victory would 



106 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

surely have awaited us! But fate or an unlucky 
chance decided otherwise. A copy of General Lee's 
confidential order was handed to McClellan when he 
reached Frederick. He says in his official report 
that it was picked up by one of his men on our late 
camping ground. 

Had Lee whispered into the Federal General's ear 
his inmost plans the latter could have asked for noth- 
ing more than the information brought him on that 
fatal paper. 

The effect on McClellan was immediate. His 
march, up to then, had been cautious and timid, not 
more than eight or nine miles a day. When the 
order came to him he knew all about us. He knew 
that D. H. Hill's five brigades at Boonsboro would 
be nearly all that lay in his path to cross the moun- 
tain, and he began footing it with great speed. His 
march was rapid, and for McClellan confident. He 
actually struck D. H. Hill on September 14, on the 
mountain, with an overwhelming force. Hill 
defended himself valiantly, Drayton's and Ander- 
son's brigades reinforcing him. 

Hearing his guns near Hagerstown, Longstreet's 
quick military instinct told him what was happening. 
We instantly broke camp and raced out for Hill's 
relief. The distance was covered in extraordinary 
time and we happily got to Hill just as he was being 
driven from the crest of the mountain, and in time 
to save him. Darkness coming on, he was able to 
assemble his shattered battalions below, where with 
our force a front was shown that McClellan hesitated 
on immediately attacking. At sun up we prepared 
to move and were soon on the march to Antietam 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 107 

Creek, behind which part of the army took position 
on the 15th and i6th. 

But I must go back to Frederick City, asking how 
a document so vitally important as General Lee's 
order could have suffered loss. It has often been 
discussed in special papers, in magazine articles, and 
in letters. McClellan says it was addressed to 
Major-General D. H. Hill. There is no disputing 
this because the document is on file for evidence. 
General Hill and his adjutant-general. Col. Archer 
Anderson, both declare it impossible to have been 
Hill's copy. They are to be implicitly believed. In 
addition, Colonel Anderson is able to produce a copy 
addressed to his chief. Thus we find ourselves in a 
dilemma. 

The explanation suggested is that perhaps two 
copies were sent Hill. Although now an indepen- 
dent division, Jackson considered Hill under his 
command and sent him a copy of the order. One 
copy certainly reached him direct from General Lee. 
Jackson and Hill, although connected by marriage, 
had it is said no great personal liking for each other, 
and I can imagine the cross and dyspeptic Hill, with 
the order from Lee in his pocket, receiving another 
copy from Jackson with careless irritation. If this 
theory does not work out, we seem to be quite baffled 
in finding a solution. 

We had a bad night on the mountain, extracting 
D. H. Hill. He had made a magnificent defense, 
but was terribly mauled and broken up. 

Drayton's brigade had been dispersed. There 
was great straggling to the rear by some of the men 
and our staff had to make sharp play with the flats 



108 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

of our swords on the backs of these fellows. It tired 
and disgusted me. The mountain roads were filled 
with broken regiments and companies and it was 
very late before they got to the foot of the mountain 
and in some sort of order. The material of our 
army was such that it did not take long for the men 
to shape up after disaster. It was near daylight 
before I got to Longstreet's bivouac, made a brief 
report of things, and threw myself on some fence 
rails in the bad weather for a chance of sleep. Not 
for long, however. All hands were soon afoot pre- 
paring for the march. During the day I came up 
with my old friend and schoolmate "Sandy" Duncan, 
of the Hussars. He was a comical object, but doing 
good service mounted on a little beast, almost skin 
and bones, w^ith scarcely any hair. The animal 
looked badly scalded. He bore Duncan and his arms 
however, the trooper bearded and with as odd an 
appearance as his mount. He was gathering 
stragglers and pushing them forward with hard 
words and sometimes blows. We had never a 
campaign when there was so much straggling. 
Duncan was an excellent cavalry soldier and devoted 
to his troop. In full health to-day at Savannah, he 
is considered justly good authority on all things 
Confederate. 



CHAPTER XII 
Battle of Sharpsburg, Continued 

Marching through Frederick — Barbara Fritchie and Stonewall 
Jackson — Commissariat broken down — Green corn for 
rations — Stampede of horses of a cavalry regiment — D. H. 
Hill's horse shot — Longstreet's staff served guns of Wash- 
ington Artillery — Cannoneers killed — Colonel John R. 
Cooke's gallant fight — Am wounded and carried off the 
field. 

When the army marched through Frederick City 
it was fine weather, and the poet Whittier has told 
of Barbara Fritchie and Stonewall Jackson — a stir- 
ring poem in winning lines, but quite without fact 
at bottom. But that matters not in the least. The 
lines are good and we can well afford to throw in 
with all the hard words and abuse of those days, 
the poet's ideas about our Stonewall. 

The country through which we marched was 
beautiful, rich, and fertile, but we were constantly 
hungry. There were two lines of Whittier's un- 
cjuestionably true : 

"Fair as a garden of the Lord, 
To the eyes of the famished rebel horde." 

In all parts of the army straggling was principally 
caused by want of food. The commissariat had 
about broken down and the troops had recourse to 
anything. 



110 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

The fields were full of ripened corn, of which 
too much was eaten. Parched and salted it would 
help a little, but eaten as it was, bad attacks of diar- 
rhea followed and such sickness became serious. 

On the night before the battle we were getting 
some sleep under thick trees when a stampede of 
horses nearly trampled us. It was a ver}^ surprising 
thing that happened to the Jeff Davis Legion. The 
regiment was well lined and picketed in front, part 
of the officers and men asleep, guards and pickets 
on good watch, and everything deadly quiet and 
still, the night well on. 

Suddenly something seemed to pass through the 
animals like a quiver of motion, a faint sound as of 
a sign, and then the wildest scene ensued. The 
horses for no reason that could be found had become 
stampeded, in the greatest panic and excitement. 
They broke away from their picket ropes, and droves 
of different sizes, some few, some many, were thun- 
dering along over the country and about the army 
in wild confusion. Fortunately, they drew to our 
rear, and the troopers were all night and part of 
the next day recovering them. Duncan has well 
described to me this extraordinary stampede, the 
like of which did not occur during the four years' 
war. 

The morning of September 17 opened w^ith battle 
before us, presaged by the booming of cannon al- 
ready beginning their noisy w^ork. 

Longstreet held the right center, the other wing 
being trusted to Jackson, Hood, Richard H. Ander- 
son, McLaws, and other divisions. The fall of 
Harper's Ferry had released the attacking forces 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 111 

and enabled Jackson and part of his command to 
join Lee, but only after great exhaustion and fatal 
straggling. The enemy called this battle Antietam, 
from the little stream that traverses the field. We 
gave it the name of Sharpsburg, the village that 
nestled in the hills by the turnpike some little dis- 
tance back of Antietam. It was a dreadful day 
of fighting. Beginning early, we were at it until 
nightfall. Outnumbered three to one, it seemed 
that at almost any time a strong effort by McClellan 
would drive us back, but that effort was not made. 
A third of his fine army did not fire a rifie. 

In the early afternoon, Lee, Longstreet, and D. H. 
Hill ascended a little acclivity near the turnpike to 
make some observations. All others — staff and 
orderlies — were kept back under the brow of the 
hill to avoid drawing fire on the three generals. 
In truth, they did look conspicuous on the crest, 
silhouetted against the bright skies, and the shot of 
course came, a little wide, but the second was from 
a good gunner. This shot struck the front legs of 
Hill's horse, cutting them sharp off at the knees. 
The poor beast did not fall immediately, and made 
no sound, but put his nose into the grass, nibbling 
at it seemingly. 

The small general in a high-cantled saddle could 
not get his leg over in the position of the horse 
until Longstreet helped him down. There is occa- 
sional talk of groans and shrieks of horses when 
wounded. I have seen many badly hurt, but cannot 
recall an instance in which the animal made any 
noise. This ^'gunning" has recently been associated 
with another incident on the field with which it has 



112 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

really no connection. It was rather later in the day 
that we came on two of Miller's Washington Artil- 
lery guns that had been doing splendid work, but 
were now silent. 

The gunners had fallen by their places, which 
were temporarily without cannoneers. Longstreet 
was with us. Fairfax, Goree-Manning, Walton, 
myself, and perhaps some others took our horses' 
bridles as we leaped from them to the guns. The 
position was most important and it would never 
do for those ''barkers" to be dumb, even for a min- 
ute; so at it we went, the improvised gunners, and 
were afterwards cheered by being told we did it well 
and could always get a gunner's berth when we 
might want it. I had the rammer. No. i, I think it 
is in the drill. Our fire was really strong and effec- 
tive, until some reliefs from the Washington Artil- 
lery came up "ventre a terre,f' and with hearty 
shouts took their guns in hand. The enemy opened 
a severe fire on us, but fortunately none of our party 
was hurt. We mounted again with cheerful grins 
at our sudden adventure, and Longstreet, much 
pleased, turned his attention to other imperiled 
points. 

Now, some fellow writing recently says it was 
McClellan's own hands that fired at Hill's horse 
in the morning; and that, in revenge, Longstreet 
seeing his position in the afternoon, guessed it must 
be McClellan and his staff and dispersed them with 
his own hands on the guns. An awful lot of lies 
circulate nowadays about the Civil War, and it is 
so long ago there is hardly anybody to contradict 
them. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 113 

Longstreet, whose eyes were everywhere, had 
noticed a regiment well advanced that had been 
fighting steadily for hours. It had gathered a few 
rails and stones for a chance protection to its brave 
fellows, all the time keeping up a good steady fire 
on the force in front of them, whose ranks looked 
so thick as to make one wonder they did not walk 
over our poor little regiment. Longs^treet nevqr 
failed to encourage good work; he praised freely 
and liberally where he thought it due, constantly 
recommending meritorious young officers for pro- 
motion. There was no illiberality about him, and 
the officers knew it and tried for his notice. "Major 
Sorrel," he said, "go down to that regiment with 
my compliments to the colonel. Say he has fought 
splendidly and must keep it up. We are hard 
pressed and if he loses his position there is nothing 
left behind him ; his men have made noble sacrifices, 
but are to do still more." 

It was Col. John R. Cooke, commanding a North 
Carolina regiment, that received this message. 
There were many dead along his lines and some 
severely wounded who could not be got away. My 
horse was wounded on the way to him, and the 
enemy's rifle firing was incessant, while from the 
saddle Longstreet's praises and encouragement were 
given this brave officer. 

Profanity is justly considered objectionable. I do 
not approve of it, but there are times when it may 
be overlooked, and never did such words sound so 
sweet as when I looked into Cooke's eyes and heard 
him: "Major, thank General Longstreet for his 
good words, but say, by almighty, he needn't 



114 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

doubt me ! We will stay here, by J. C, if we must 

all go to hell together ! That thick line of the 

enemy has been fighting all day, but my regiment is 

still ready to lick this whole outfit. Start 

away, Major, quick, or you'll be getting hurt too, 
exposed as you are on that horse !" This is only a 
faint reproduction of the Colonel's gift of language, 
but it left with me no doubt that the position 
would stand until that gallant heart gave the word 
to leave it. He stuck there until ordered off at 
night. It was some time before I was able to send 
a report to Longstreet, the hour being about 5 p. m., 
but he had Cooke promoted immediately. I had 
scarcely drawn my hand from Cooke's when a shell 
burst over us and a fragment struck me senseless 
from my horse. 



CHAPTER XIII 
Battle of Sharpsburg^ Concluded 

Toombs's Georgia Brigade — Longstreet on the field — Lee's war 
horse — McClellan superseded by Burnside — A horse trade 
— Richard H. Anderson's division — A lost opportunity — 
Walton and myself find quarters at Shepherdstown among 
wounded — Driven away by enemy's shells. 

Toombs's brigade of Georgians had fought well 
at the bridge on the ri^ht. It was contested all day 
and was the scene of some bloody encounters. Some 
fresher men under A. P. Hill at last came up late, 
almost dark, and a general advance on the enemy's 
lines persuaded the timorous McClellan that we were 
not done fighting, and he ceased his operations. Lee 
was left, after the long day's work, with thin ranks 
holding the ground he stood on in the morning, 
and nothing lost by us in guns, colors, or prisoners. 
The casualties, however, were very heavy, our list 
of wounded and killed being awful. Here fell my 
dear personal friends of school days, Mcintosh and 
Parkman. I had lost several in the battles preced- 
ing and my heart was heavy. 

Longstreet's conduct on this great day of battle 
was magnificent. Pie seemed everywhere along his 
extended lines, and his tenacity and deep-set resolu- 
tion, his inmost courage, which appeared to swell 
with the growing peril to the army, undoubtedly 
stimulated the troops to greater action, and held 



116 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

them in place despite all weakness. My staff com- 
rades described to me later his appearance and recep- 
tion by Lee when they met at night after firing 
ceased. Longstreet, big, heavy, and red, grimly 
stern after this long day's work, that called for all 
we could stomach, rolled in on his clumsy carpet 
slippers. Lee immediately welcomed him with un- 
concealed joy. ''Here comes my war horse just 
from the field he has done so much to save!" his 
arm affectionately around "Peter's" shoulder. The 
latter should surely have been proud and well satis- 
fied. Lee held his ground that night and all the 
next day (the i8th), caring for his wounded and 
burying his dead. On the night of the i8th he 
quietly moved out and successfully passed the Poto- 
mac to Viriginia ground without loss. That Mc- 
Clellan with his great army, a third of which had 
taken no part in the two battles, permitted this escape 
is unaccountable. In olden times generals lost their 
heads for such stupidities. "Little Mac" lost his 
place instead, being soon superseded by Burnside. 

I was never good at a horse trade, and here is a 
story of one. I had a nice little mare of good paces, 
but she was undersized for my long legs. Walton, 
my staff comrade, had a big, fine bay, well gaited 
and apparently all that I could wish. Walton, being 
a small man, liked the mare, and was ready to trade ; 
but just before getting to Boonsboro, the big bay, 
"Mott" (he had been brought from Mississippi by 
that Colonel Mott who was killed at Williamsburg, 
and we named him "Mott"), had broken loose and 
was astray somewhere, Walton being unable to find 
him. Having some mounted men I could use and 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 117 

knowing the cavalry officers near by, I believed he 
could be found, so taking the chances I made the 
trade by paying Walton $275 to boot, and this too 
in '62, when Confederate money was not so very 
bad. That much cash could then buy considerable 
stuff. Longstreet was an excellent judge of horse- 
flesh and to him I gave the details of my trade. In 
answer I got a little stare and smile as he said, 
"Why, Major, I would not give $275 for the horse 
tied to a corn crib; noi quartermaster in this army 
can furnish forage enough for that beast!" This 
was soothing and encouraging to be sure, and in the 
mean time bay *'Mott" refused to be found. Boons- 
boro and Sharpsburg were fought, the army back in 
Virginia, and I on my way back, when at last came 
my cavalrymen, bay ''Mott" in hand, and in a fort- 
night or so I was on him, a powerful, well-paced 
animal; but Longstreet was right, he could never 
get enough to eat, and after some time his ribs and 
bones were disagreeably in evidence, and the beast 
was turned over to a quartermaster to do with as 
he would. He had pickings in the corral and was 
probably hitched to a hay wagon. 

When struck down by that bursting shell. Colonel 
Cooke had me immediately carried off on a stretcher 
to a less exposed place, and on regaining conscious- 
ness good old Fairfax was pouring whiskey down 
my throat. We had been severed by one of those 
unnecessary camp differences and were not on good 
terms. Needless to say all that was now forgotten 
and we were comrades once more. He managed to 
get an ambulance and sent me off to the army field- 
infirmary. There was another officer stretched by 



118 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

me in the ambulance, very bloody and very tex'ribly 
wounded. I did not think I was hurt badly, but 
seemed to have no motion or feeling about the legs. 
We were soon at the surgeon's camp. Dr. Guild 
medical director in charge. I knew him well, a 
cheerful soul. ''What, you too!" he cried. ''Now, 
turn over." And he began pinching my legs un- 
mercifully. I kicked and cried out loudly, and he 
laughed and said : "O, you are quite right, I feared 
for your back. Now away to the rear across the 
river; you will be on duty again in a fortnight." 
The hurt was a violent contusion below the right 
shoulder and made the whole side of the body black 
and blue with extravasated blood. Off we started 
and came up with my staff comrade, Walton, slowly 
trotting to the rear with a bullet in his shoulder. 
He took charge of things energetically, managed by 
threats and bullying to get a boat, and had us ferried 
across the river at Shepherdstown. There Walton 
got some men to carry me, hunting a resting place; 
he tried everywhere, his wound paining him all the 
time. The little town was full of wounded and it 
looked as if we should have to lie out in the street, 
but some gentle hearts were melted. At the house 
of the Hamtrammocks, already crowded with 
wounded, the ladies gave up their last room and put 
us in it, fed and cheered us, providing that sweet 
sympathy and goodness that was ever present among 
the noble women of battle-torn Virginia. 

The Hamtrammock family was unknown to me, 
but stood very well in the village and all through the 
Valley. It was said that their father, long dead, had 
commanded a Virginia regiment in the Mexican 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 119 

War. The only members of the family we saw 
were the two pleasant girls, Elsie and Florence, and 
an aunt, Miss Sheperd. That evening the doctor 
relieved Walton of acute suffering by cutting out 
the bullet, which had buried itself in the muscles of 
the shoulder, and dressed my battered back. So we 
awoke next morning refreshed and easier, charmed 
with our luck in such good quarters. We were soon 
quite ready to be entertained by the young ladies, 
and they were nothing loth after the nurses had made 
us presentable. There was a Georgian in the house. 
Captain D'Antignac, badly wounded in the head, 
and in charge of Miss Sheperd. She would some- 
times rush into our room, laughing immoderately; 
the poor fellow was out of his head and talking all 
sorts of nonsense. Our hostesses were very gracious, 
gay, happy, well educated girls; they played and 
sang prettily, and were such Confederates ! We had 
much curiosity to know how they had fared during 
the night, since they had been robbed of their rooms ; 
it finally came out that they had shared the bath- 
room between them. But this elysium could not last 
long, for next day the enemy planted some guns on 
the river bank and began shelling everything. The 
wounded were in great peril and the surgeons hur- 
ried them to the rear. An ambulance was sent at 
once for us, and with grateful farewells to our 
friends, we were taken away to a little old farm- 
house fifteen miles distant, behind Lee's army. 



CHAPTER XIV 

Our Personnel — Visitors 

On duty again, recovered — Army refreshed and in good condi- 
tion — Reorganization — First and Second Army Corps, 
Longstreet and Stonewall commanding — Divisions com- 
posing them — Cavalry under Stuart — Visitors to our 
camp in Valley — Three Englishmen, Wolseley, Lawley, and 
Vizitelly. 

Within the fortnight I was returned to duty, 
rather stiff but quite fit, and pleased with the hearty 
welcome of my brother officers. Walton's wound 
proved severe and he was sent to a hospital at 
Richmond. The army had picked up wonderfully, 
stragglers were back in ranks, the lightly wounded 
were again ready with their rifles, rations were 
abundant ; some clothing and shoes had come, for a 
small part of it, and we were just eager for Burnside 
or any other fellow. Our General, like his army, 
was high in spirit and controlling absolutely its 
destiny. Its devotion for Lee and unfaltering confi- 
dence in him had never been surpassed. It was 
now that he found it necessary to reorganize his 
various commands. They were all comfortably 
camped in the Valley, except a small detachment sent 
to the vicinity of Fredericksburg, and covered a good 
deal of ground. The enemy was silent and showed 
no sign of movement, but we could guess where he 
was likely to strike next. Somewhere about Spott- 
sylvania or Fredericksburg, Lee divided his army 
into two great infantry corps — the First Army Corps 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 121 

I 

under Lieut.-Gen. James Longstreet; the Second 
Army Corps under Lieut.-Gen. T. J. Jackson. The 
First had five divisions under Pickett, McLaws, 
Hood, Richard Anderson, and J. G. Walker; all had 
from four to five brigades, except Walker's, only 
two, but it was known that his command was to be 
but temporarily with the Virginia army. Jackson's 
Second Army Corps had also four divisions under 
A. P. Hill, R. S. Ewell, D. H. Hill, and Jackson^s 
old division under Taliaferro. 

The strength of the two great bodies was thus 
about equal. To each division there was a battalion 
of artillery of four batteries, and to each corps a 
reserve battalion of six batteries. Longstreet had 
two of them, the Washingtons, and Alexander's 
battalion. 

There was also a strong body of reserve artillery 
to the army under command (and indeed he claimed 
some authority over the rest) of Brig.-Gen. W. N. 
Pendleton. This officer had graduated from West 
Point, had changed his uniform to the cassock and 
was rector of an Episcopal church in Western Vir- 
ginia. He was an especial friend of General Lee, 
and leaving his pulpit brought a good battery to 
Jackson's command. A well-meaning man, without 
qualities for the high post he claimed— Chief of 
Artillery of the Army. 

The cavalry under Stuart completed the good 
organization of that wonderful army. An excellent 
body of horse it was, in fit hands, and its com- 
mander, true body and soul to Lee, was already a 
great cavalry leader. It was not, however, until 
next year that he rose with it to its high-water mark 
of strength, efficiency, and renown. 



122 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

While camped there in the Valley we had all at 
once three interesting visitors, Col. Garnet Wolseley, 
of the British Army; Hon. Francis Lawley, corre- 
spondent at the South for The London Times, and 
Frank Vizitelly, Southern correspondent and artist 
for The London Illustrated Nezvs. Wolseley was 
on duty in Canada and had just slipped across the 
border and the army lines to have a look at the 
Confederate forces. He was a small, spare man, 
modest and soldierly. It was from Lawley that we 
learned more about him, and that he had distin- 
guished himself while a subaltern in the Crimea and 
was considered a rising officer. It fell to me to 
make better acquaintance with Wolseley and we have 
kept up some communication since. It has, there- 
fore, been good to follow his "steps" and note the 
more than fulfillment of the favorable expectations 
of him. Commander of the Red River Expedition ; 
general in charge of the Ashantee War; severe, 
successful service in India; command in Egypt and 
defeat of Arabi at Tel-el-Kebir; operations in the 
Soudan — these have been some of his various 
services up to five years ago, when he was made 
commander-in-chief of the forces, his tour of duty 
having just ended. We had a review of one of our 
divisions, gave him a good mount, and he rode well 
with Longstreet, admiring with an experienced eye 
the hardy material of our soldiers. In a day or two 
he returned to Canada. He has attained the rank 
of Field Marshal, and is Viscount Wolseley in the 
Peerage of England, with many high orders of 
merit. 

This distingTiished officer has written well and 
often of his Confederate observations. He places 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 123 

Lee in the first rank of generals of the EngHsh- 
speaking race, with Marlborough and Wellington; 
and his admiration for our leader is constant — of 
the very highest. A letter pointing to his interest 
in Confederate autographs will be found in the 
Appendix. 

Frank Lawley, tall, handsome, and of distin- 
guished appearance, had started in English political 
life with everything in his favor. A fine University 
education, natural aptitude, and a polished pen aided 
him in becoming secretary to Mr. Gladstone when 
Chancellor of the Exchequer. Soon, however, a 
shadow fell on Lawley. He gave up his post and 
political life, taking to writing, for which he was 
well fitted. The Times had sent him South, and he 
was about Lee's army nearly two years, making 
many friends. He is now one of the principal 
editors of the London Telegram, with a great salary, 
which, as of old, does not go far with him. 

Frank Vizitelly (Italian family, for centuries 
settled in England) was a burly-looking, reckless 
^'Bohemian," of many accomplishments. He could 
write, could sing, could draw and paint, could dance 
and ride, could tell good stories (good only in the 
telling, not in the matter) by the hour, and, finally, 
could drink like a fish, and did so. He made spirited 
drawings of battles, persons, and all sorts of scenes 
during the two years he was with us in the South, 
and managed to get them through the blockade to 
his paper. 

When Vizitelly left us he served his paper all over 
the world, whenever there was war; and finally join- 
ing Hicks Pasha's Expedition for subduing the 



124 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Soudan, perished in the complete massacre of that 
ill-fated column. 

His name, with six other war correspondents who 
fell at their several posts elsewhere, is carved in a 
tablet set in the walls of St. Paul's Cathedral, 
London. I never thought Vizitelly could possibly 
come to such respectable distinction. 



CHAPTER XV 
The Staff 



Staff of First Corps — Kirkwood Rangers escort — A camp din- 
ner party in state — Lee's aggressiveness — Ropes's descrip- 
tion of Lee — Duties of the staff. 



The organization of the army having been de- 
scribed, it is time to show the staff of the First 
Army Corps; thus, October, 1862: 

Major G. M. Sorrel, A. A. G. and Chief of 
Staff. 

Major John W. Fairfax, A. A. G. and In- 
spector. 

Major Osmun Latrobe, A. A. G. and In- 
spector. 

Lieut.-Col. P. T. Manning, Chief of Ord- 
nance. 

Captain F. W. Dawson, Assistant to Chief 
of Ordnance. 

Major Thomas Wahon, A. D. C. 

Captain Thomas Goree, A. D. C. 

Lieutenant Blackwell, A. D. C. 

Major R. J. Moses, Chief Commissary of 
Subsistence. 

Major Mitchell, Chief Quartermaster. 

Captain J. H. Manning, Signal Officer. 

Surgeon J. S. D. Cullen, Medical Director. 

Surgeon R. Barksdale, Medical Inspector. 

Surgeon Kellum, Medical Inspector. 



126 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Assistant Surgeon Thomas Maury, Assist- 
ant to Medical Director. 

Major Chichester, Commissary of Subsist- 
ence. 

Major I. G. Clarke, Engineer Corps. 

Of the names of those starting out with Long- 
street at the beginning only a few have already been 
given. The others were added as the command grew 
in strength and wants. Some of those here named 
may not have joined until a little later than this time, 
which I fix at about November 15, 1862. Latrobe, 
a Marylander, had been serving with D. R. Jones's 
small division. Upon its being broken up he came 
to us and proved most acceptable to the Lieutenant- 
General, and a valuable staff officer. He was even- 
tually to succeed me when I was in 1864 promoted 
to command in another corps. Moses, the chief 
commissary, had been a leading lawyer in Georgia, 
and was now a most intelligent, efficient officer. 
He was much older than most of us, but "bon com- 
rade," and had an exhaustless fund of incident and 
anecdote, which he told inimitably. 

Latrobe, whom I often see, is my dear friend as I 
write ; in fine health and good condition ; big in body 
and frame as he is in heart. To corps headquarters 
at this time was attached a good troop of cavalry 
for courier and escort service. It was the Kirkwood 
Rangers, from South Carolina, first commanded by 
Captain Shannon, then by Captain Tobey. Captain 
Shannon was that excellent man, somewhat advanced 
in years, and retired, who was forced into a duel 
in South Carolina, and killed. The staff well under- 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 127 

stood their General and he knew them ; they worked 
together with good results and never did one of 
them fail him. 

An officer who might also be numbered on the 
staff was Colonel E. P. Alexander, although he 
commanded the reserve artillery; but Longstreet 
thought so well of his engineering and reconnoiter- 
ing abilities that he kept him very near headquarters. 

While the three Englishmen were visiting us it 
was decided to give them a dinner. Two hospital 
tents were thrown together and made a fine mess 
hall, embellished with trophies of arms and flags. 
Flowers and ferns did the rest for decoration. For 
the table there were planks on trestles, and the same 
for seats. The countryside was generous in lending, 
as well as giving provisions, and our fete did not 
lack a good white covering over its bare boards. 
Provisions were plentiful outside the army rations, 
and I aver that on this occasion they were paid for 
honestly. Young pig well fattened, turkeys, fowls, 
fresh beef, and vegetables topped off the commis- 
sary's pork and hardtack. There were good cooks 
at our call, and the negro servants of the officers 
fairly grinned with delight at such a feast. We had 
many officers of note to meet our guests, and the 
function went off most agreeably. The absence of 
wine was conspicuous, but no one lacked for good 
whiskey, and perhaps before parting it had been 
tasted too often by some. After dinner came cards 
— poker. The Englishmen, except Wolseley, knew 
the game and enjoyed it. I know that I was a con- 
siderable loser, then a turn of chance brought me 
even, and soon we quit for bed, my last real game 
of poker to this date. 



128 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

The army had now been long enough under Lee 
to satisfy all that he meant fighting, always fighting. 
That was the business of the aniiy, and only by 
fighting could Virginia be cleared of the enemy and 
Richmond made secure. When he first took com- 
mand there were a few unthinking speeches made. 
He had fortified Richmond, and like a skilful gen- 
eral knew the value of field-works and temporary 
entrenchments. Some in the army were given to 
speak of him as the "King of Spades" who would 
never allow us to show fighting. The past four- 
teen months had indeed opened the eyes of these 
sneerers. 

Ropes, the distinguished Northern military his- 
torian, writing always, even in the most heated con- 
troversy, fairly and dispassionately, has this to say 
for our hero, en passant, in one of his books, having 
already once declared him "The most accomplished 
soldier of the day" : 



At the time of his appointment to the command of the Army 
of Northern Virginia, General Lee was 55 years of age, in per- 
fect health, vigorous, robust, of a commanding presence. His 
character, public and private, was of the highest. In intellect 
it may be doubted whether he was superior to the able soldier 
whom he succeeded ; indeed, Joseph E, Johnston possessed as 
good a military mind as any general on either side ; but in that 
fortunate combination of qualities, physical, mental, and 
moral, which go to make up a great commander. General Lee 
was unquestionably more favored than any of the leaders of the 
Civil War. He possessed at once the entire confidence of his 
Government and the unquestioning and enthusiastic devotion 
of the army. He had no rival, either in the councils of the 
Richmond War Department or in the colloquies around camp- 
fires. Lee's position was unique. No army commander on 
either side was so universally believed in, so absolutely trusted. 
Nor was there ever a commander who better deserved the sup- 
port of his Government and the affection and confidence of his 
soldiers. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 129 

With the growth of Longstreet's command my 
duties had become doubly important, and with 
weighty responsibihties. The General left much to 
me, both in camp and on the field. As chief of his 
staff it was my part to respond to calls for instruc- 
tion and to anticipate them. The General was kept 
fully advised after the event, if he was not near by 
at the time; but action had to be swift and sure, 
without waiting to hunt him up on a different part 
of the field. 

The change of movement of a brigade or division 
in battle certainly carried a grave responsibility, but 
it has often to be faced by the chief staff officer if 
the general happened to be out of reach. Nearly two 
years of war on a grand scale had given me experi- 
ence and confidence, and Longstreet was always 
generous with good support when things were done 
apparently for the best. This gave me good prestige 
in our large corps, and I found hosts of friends 
among officers and men. 

The reorganization had made the First Corps 
40,000 strong, effective, by the time it got to Fred- 
ericksburg in December. Jackson's Second Corps 
was fully 38,000 strong. 



CHAPTER XVI 
Events Preceding Fredericksburg 

Burnside in command o£ Army of the Potomac — Sketch — Lee's 
plans — At Fredericksburg — General Patrick, U. S. A. — 
Flag of truce — Arrival of army in position — Poor defen- 
sive works — Bad-weather march — Some expedients by 
Longstreet — The stone wall — Major-General McLaws, Ma- 
jor-General Hood, Major-General Anderson, Major-Gen- 
eral Walker — Sketches. 

The new commander of the Army of the Potomac 
was one of the most highly respected officers of the 
United States Army, but he was not equal to the 
command, and so stated to the officers who brought 
him Mr. Lincoln's commission and orders. 

McClellan was of decided ability in many respects ; 
timorous, but safe; and there was no better organ- 
izer. He seemed to hate battle, and it is surprising 
that with such a record he should have secured and 
retained the devotion and confidence of his men to 
the very end. There was no lack of physical cour- 
age ; it was a mental doubt with him. 

Burnside had no prominent reputation, but made 
a success of an unimportant expedition into North 
Carolina. He conspicuously failed at Sharpsburg, 
where all day the bridge on the right was the scene 
of combat, without his movement to seize it. His 
great corps, held idly in hand, was equal to it ten 
times over. But he may have been waiting on 
McClellan, with whom he was in the closest intimacy 
of friendship. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 131 

At all events, Burnside could and would fight, 
even if he did not know how, and after ^'Little Mac" 
this was what Mr. Lincoln was trying for. He was 
a handsome man, from Rhode Island, of fine, cour- 
teous bearing. 

Franklin should have been, I think, the man for 
Lincoln; but who knows? There was a powerful 
clique always about McClellan, most unwisely at 
difference, sometimes, with the Administration. 

A pause in the operations ensued while we lay 
about Bunker Hill and Winchester. But Lee had, 
in the first half of November, decided where he 
should make Burnside fight. It was Fredericks- 
burg. Longstreet had previously sent McLaws's 
division east of the mountains to the vicinity of 
Culpeper, and about November i6 started him for 
the old town on the Rappahannock, following a day 
or two later from his Valley camps with the 
remainder of the corps. 

The gaps of the Blue Ridge were well occupied 
and defended by Jackson and Stuart's cavalry during 
Lee's transfer of his army in this delicate strategical 
operation. 

I parted from Longstreet for a day or two, and 
arrived near Fredericksburg with some of the lead- 
ing troops, before him. 

My ride was in the worst weather, roads deep in 
mud, with rain in torrents. Fredericksburg is one 
of the oldest and most aristocratic of the Virginia 
towns. A dwindling trade had thinned the popula- 
tion and quieted its ambitions. At this time the 
place was the home of families of historical impor- 
tance and present interest, with a thorough knowl- 
edge of good living, and still respectable cellars of 



Azi 



RECOLLECTIONS OF A 



old Madeira that had been imported by them many 
years before. 

The enemy had a small garrison there and a 
provost marshal, an elderly United States officer, 
kind and gentle in his authority, and much liked by 
the citizens. 

From this officer I received a request to meet him 
under flag of truce, and we made acquaintance in a 
little block-house just outside the town. The good 
old General Patrick was quite in ignorance appar- 
ently of the great dperation that was then culmin- 
ating. Expecting to hold the city with his little 
garrison he wished to avert any shelling of the town 
by our guns. 

His friends had not yet made their appearance on 
the Falmouth Hills, commanding the town on the 
left bank of the river. We had outstripped their 
march. 

General Patrick was informed that he must at 
once withdraw from Fredericksburg, that we should 
occupy it in force. He smiled, thinking it a bluff, 
and wanted to know where the soldiers were. On 
this point he got no information, of course, and we 
parted. However, he was soon to see our men 
pouring forward, and McLaws's division seizing the 
city and posting his gallant Mississippians on the 
river front, under the intrepid Barksdale. 

Patrick's little gang had, of course, immediately 
slipped away when they saw what was coming. 

This I think was about November 21. The entire 
army soon after arrived and took position behind the 
Rappahannock, a wide, undulating plain for the 
most part stretching between our lines and the river 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 133 

itself. Longstreet took the left and Jackson the 
right; the former's most important point being the 
stone wall and sunken road at the foot of Marye's 
Hill. 

Looking back at the situation, it seems surprising 
that we did so little in the way of defensive field- 
works. The enemy in great masses were crowding 
the Falmouth Hills, and we knew intended to cross 
and strike us. But yet we contented ourselves with 
the little stone wall (which proved helpful), and 
two or three tiers of light trenchwork extended on 
the slope of the hill behind and on our left. 

The like observation applies to Jackson, whose 
lines were about the same as ours in strength, except 
the stone wall. 

Later in the war such a fault could not have been 
found. Experience had taught us that to win, we 
must fight; and that fighting under cover was the 
thing to keep up the army and beat the enemy. He 
knew it, too, and practised it, so later on veterans no 
sooner got to facing each other than they began to 
dig, if ever so little; a little trench, a tiny hillock is 
often a very helpful defense and protection. 

The march to Fredericksburg in bad weather and 
over almost bottomless roads had caused great 
suffering to the men and some losses among the 
animals. It was then that Longstreet told his men 
of an expedient that as an old soldier he had often 
resorted to. "Rake," he sent word to the men, "the 
coals and ashes from your cooking fires and sleep on 
that ground; it will be dry and warm." And so it 
proved. Also, there being many barefooted men, 
"Take the rawhides of the beef cattle, killed for 



134 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

food; cut roughly for a moccasin-like covering for 
the feet, and there you are with something to walk 
in." But this did not go. This foot-wear had 
nothing like soles of stiffening, and in the mud and 
icy slush of the Virginia roads the moist, fresh skins 
slipped about as if on ice. The wearers, constantly 
up or down, finally kicked them aside and took the 
road as best they could, barefooted or wrapped with 
rags or straw. Richmond did its best to supply, but 
there was always trouble for want of shoes. Great 
quantities were run in from England by blockade, 
but they were worthless, shoddy things that might 
be done for in a day's use. I once wore a pair of 
them, and in a single day of wet and mud the cheats 
came to pieces and developed bits of paper and odds 
of leather things, where should be good, strong, well 
tanned cow skin. 

It is said that our friends, the enemy, across the 
lines fared badly as well in shoddy, and that too from 
their own neighbors and countrymen. 

It was awfully nasty work getting down to that 
stone wall for giving orders or receiving informa- 
tion, the way swept by the enemy's volume of fire 
over every foot. Once at the wall it was fairly 
snug, but the coming back was still worse, and one 
drew a long breath on emerging safely from that 
deadly fusilade. 

We could only manage it on foot by making short 
rushes from point to point, affording perhaps some 
little cover. It was on such a duty that my friend 
Lord King was killed. He was A. D. C. to McLaws, 
of the family of Kings of southern Georgia. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 135 

The ranking major-general of our corps was 
L. McLaws, his division made up of Georgians, 
Mississippians, and South CaroHnians. He was an 
officer of much experience and most careful. Fond 
of detail, his command was in excellent condition, 
and his ground and position well examined and 
reconnoitered ; not brilliant in the field or quick in 
movement there or elsewhere, he could always be 
counted on and had secured the entire confidence of 
his officers and men. 

Maj.-Gen. John B. Hood's appearance was very 
striking; in age only 34, he had a personality that 
would attract attention anywhere. Very tall and 
somewhat loose- jointed ; a long, oval face shaded by 
yellowish beard, plentiful hair of same color, and 
voice of great power and compass. 

With very winning manners, he is said to have 
used these advantages actively for his own advance- 
ment. But apart from that, his services in the field 
were of the best. Resigning from the United States 
Army he was made colonel of one of the three Texas 
regiments that were sent to Virginia. There he 
quickly showed his soldierly qualities and was made 
brigadier-general over the brigade formed of the 
three Texas regiments and the Third Arkansas. It 
was conspicuous in all of the many combats in which 
it was engaged, and Hood soon came on for promo- 
tion to one of the divisions of Longstreet's corps. 
As major-general he continued to display high quali- 
ties and he might be considered an ideal officer of 
that rank and command. At Gettysburg he received 
a wound in the arm. It is said that at Richmond,, 
while convalescing, he suffered himself to criticize 



136 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

very freely our operations in Pennsylvania. As 
soon as recovered he resumed his division, which 
he took to Chickamauga, where his conduct was 
magnificent. There he lost a leg. Longstreet 
immediately recommended him to promotion to 
lieutenant-general, which was done, and on recovery 
Hood was assigned to the Western army under J. E. 
Johnston. There I must leave him. His biographers 
will relate his promotion to the rank of full general ; 
his superseding Johnston ; his march to the enemy's 
rear; the sanguinary battles of Franklin and Nash- 
ville, and the crushing defeat of his expedition by 
Thomas, making possible the great decisive strategic 
operation of Sherman's "March to the sea." 

Ma j. -Gen. G. E. Pickett we already know. He 
had a very fine division of five Virginia brigades, all 
well commanded by brigadiers who greatly helped 
the Major-General to the high reputation gained by 
this gallant body of men. 

Maj.-Gen. Richard H. Anderson, of South Caro- 
lina, had been a captain of cavalry in the United 
States Army, and was rather an interesting char- 
acter. His courage was of the highest order, but 
he was indolent. His capacity and intelligence 
excellent, but it was hard to get him to use them. 
Withal, of a nature so true and lovable that it goes 
against me to criticize him. He had served well as 
a brigadier-general, and now with Longstreet, com- 
manding a division, had more to do. Longstreet 
knew him well and could get a good deal out of 
him, more than any one else. His division was of 
Georgians, South Carolinians, Alabamians and 
Mississippians. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFlCEiR 137 

Maj.-Gen. J. B. Walker was commanding two 
brigades of North Carolinians. I had no intimate 
knowledge of this X)fficer, who it was known would 
be with the Virginia army but for a short time. 
He bore a high reputation among those of his 
acquaintance. 



CHAPTER XVII 
Battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862 



Enemy massed on Stafford Heights — Heavy artillery fire — The 
pontoon bridge — Splendid defense of Mississippians — Ene- 
my crosses — Preparing for his assault — Sumner's attack 
on Marye's Hill — The deadly stone wall — General Cobb 
killed — General Lee's position — Jackson in uniform — His 
answer to Longstreet — Franklin's attack on Jackson — 
Enemy escapes across the river — Strength and losses — 
Bursting of a gun — Old Madeiras in Fredericksburg — An 
incident, "one touch of nature" — Enemy not pursued. 



But now it is time to sketch something of the 
remarkable battle that the quiet waters of the Rap- 
pahannock were to see fiercely fought in torrents of 
blood across the plain that bordered the stream. 
I attempt no description, limiting myself to some 
stray observations. 

The enemy had finally massed his great force 
(122,500 men) on Stafford Heights and was to 
force the passage of the river. Franklin had wisely 
advised Burnside to do the work with half the army 
against our right, and Burnside, at first assenting, 
then resumed his original intention to attack our 
center with Sumner's grand division. Well for us 
that he did so! 

On December 1 1 his movement began by attempt- 
ing to set his pontoon bridge opposite the city for 
the crossing. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 139 

It was Opposed by General Barksdale's Mississippi 
Brigade of McLaw's division, and stands as one of 
tlie finest acts of heroism and stubborn resistance in 
our military annals. 

Burnside first poured an artillery fire in the de- 
voted town and defending brigade — that was liter- 
ally an "enfer." 

There had been nothing like it before in this war. 
Every shot, all kinds of missiles, were thrown at 
the Mississippians to dislodge them. The brave 
fellows were there, however, to stay. They hid 
themselves in cellars, wells, holes of any kind where 
they could get a little cover, while their rifles picked 
off the pontooners pluckily trying to throw their 
boats across the stream. The latter fell in great 
numbers and this went on nearly all day. The Con- 
federates would not budge, although so stubborn 
a defense had been no part of our expectation. We 
knew the town would be seized. 

Quite late the bridge effort was abandoned by the 
Federal engineers. Calling for volunteers to fill 
the boats and cross in mass, it was gallantly an- 
swered. A number of them were quickly crowded, 
and notwithstanding our fire their landing was soon 
made and the town occupied, but not before Barks- 
dale had safely withdrawn his hard-fighting fellows. 

They had the cheers of the army for their day's 
brave work. 

Then began that night and all next day and night 
the movement of Burnside's great army across the 
river. More brigades were added and there were 
several in Franklin's possession. He had no trouble 
in laying what he wanted in his front. 



140 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Thus stood Burnside, his army facing us with 
nothing between, on December 13, and bitter cold, 
Frankhn operating on his left against Jackson. 
Sumner in the center and center-right against Long- 
street, who also guarded the lines extended con- 
siderably to our left. Hooker's grand division was 
held on Stafford Heights during the night of the 
1 2th. 

But Marye's Hill was our strong point. Burn- 
side wanted it and there he threw his men in blind 
and impotent fury. It was held by T. R. R. Cobb's 
brigade of Georgians behind a stone wall at first 
and another brigade in support. The front here was 
quite narrow. Ranson's and Cook's North Caro- 
lina brigades were in light trenches higher up the 
hill, but in position to deliver deadly fire, and did so. 
The defense at the stone wall was also kept care- 
fully reinforced as needed. There was some artil- 
lery in pits near the crest of the hill that did effec- 
tive service. 

General Lee's position with his stafif during the 
day was on a small hill with a good plateau, from 
which he had a fair view of Sumner's attack on 
Longstreet, as well as Franklin's on Jackson. 
Longstreet was much of the time with him. Before 
the hot work began, "Stonewall" rode up to have a 
word with Lee. As he dismounted we broke into 
astonished smiles. He was in a spick and span 
new overcoat, new uniform with rank marks, fine 
black felt hat, and a handsome sword. We had 
never seen the like before, and gave him our con- 
gratulations on his really fine appearance. He said 
he "believed it was some of his friend Stuart's 
doings." 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 141 

Franklin was in great masses before Jackson, and 
before mounting, Longstreet called out, "J^^^^son, 
what are you going to do with all those people over 
there?" "Sir," said Stonewall, with great fire 
and spirit, "we will give them the bayonet." 

There is really now but little more to be said 
in detail of the battle. In front of us it was ham- 
mer and tongs all day from ii a. m. until finally 
Burnside had to desist in sheer weariness of slaugh- 
ter. His troops advanced tO' their assaults with the 
finest intrepidity, but it was impossible for them 
to stand before our fire. I afterwards saw that 
perhaps not more than half a dozen of their men 
had got within sixty yards of our wall and dropped 
there. Not once was there any sign of faltering 
or weakness among our troops; the solid bodies of 
troops attacking might easily have made it other- 
wise with unseasoned soldiers. 

On our right Franklin had been more successful. 
He managed to pierce a salient that should have 
been corrected and worsted a considerable number 
of Jackson's men. The line was retaken and re- 
stored, but with some loss, among whom was Cap- 
tain Edward Lawton, a young brother of General 
Lawton, of Georgia. We also lost at Marye's Hill 
General Cobb (T. R. R.), of Georgia, deeply 
mourned as one of the most promising officers and 
whole-souled patriots of the South. 

When darkness fell on this great tragedy, hostile 
movements ceased and the two armies were caring 
for the "butcher's bill." Ours was small compara- 
tively, but the enemy had lost very heavily. 

A thick fog or mist also arose and enveloped 
the enemy's movements in strangeness and uncer- 



142 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

tainty. They were actually started on hastily 
recrossing the river, but we don't appear to have 
known it. Most of the day of the 14th it was thick 
and misty, veiling successfully the enemy's move- 
ments, but all the time he was preparing for his 
retreat. 

He was not attacked while in this exposed posi- 
tion. Why not? It is generally thought it would 
have been fatal to the Federals and it is indisputable 
that they were in hourly dread of it. Some say 
Jackson proposed a night attack, but I doubt it, 
and am glad it was not made. 

It is impossible to describe the confusion of such 
an attempt or to anticipate what might happen. 
I was in one later on with three picked brigades 
of the highest order and efficiency. 

The roar of battle between Lookout Mountain 
and Brown's Ferry on the Tennessee River words 
cannot express, and in the black darkness the three 
brigades achieved worse than nothing. 

But why did we not attack on the 14th in day- 
light? Not my part to attempt this explanation, 
but it looks much as if we were "building a bridge 
of gold for the flying enemy." 

On the night of the 17th Burnside withdrew his 
army to his old camp in the Falmouth Hills. 

We lost in killed and wounded — Longstreet, 1,519; 
Jackson, 2,682; total, 4,201. Jackson was also re- 
ported as having lost in missing 526. These fig- 
ures are also adopted by Ropes, and he gives Burn- 
side's army as 122,500, ours as 78,500. I do not 
think that more than half of our forces were en- 
gaged on the 13th. The Federal losses, attacks on 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 143 

Marye's Hill, 8,000; loss of whole army, Federal, 
12,650 killed and wounded. (Ropes's figures.) 

The hill referred to as affording General Lee at 
Fredericksburg a point of view, had a light trench 
in which was mounted a 30-pounder Parrott gun, 
made in Richmond. The lo-pounder guns of that 
make had done well, but those of heavy caliber were 
treacherous. The one on "Lee's Hill," as it came 
to be called, burst after a few discharges. Happily 
it did not send fragments flying about, and no one 
was hurt. The immense breech just appeared to 
have split into a dozen pieces of various sizes and 
then fallen heavily to the ground. We were rather 
glad to have done with such a piece of metal. 

The old wines of the good people of Fredericks- 
burg have been referred to. They suffered in the 
fortunes of war. A few nights before the opening 
of the battle, which was then imminent, consider- 
able quantities of fine old Madeira and other varie- 
ties were taken out of cellars and bins, and sent 
by the citizens to our fellows in camp, equally ready 
for drink or for battle. It was known that the town 
would be shelled and occupied by the Federals, prob- 
ably looted and plundered ; therefore it was thought 
safest to see priceless old vintages passed around 
campfires and quaffed in gulps from tincups. Of 
course the men would have better liked whiskey, but 
they did not refuse the wine. 

An incident on the river may bear telling. It 
was after the battle, when the pickets had resumed 
their posts and had become friendly; more given 
to trading than shooting each other at less than 
one hundred yards. The authorities had to set their 



144 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

faces sternly against this trading. It led to deser- 
tion. A fine Federal band came down to the river 
bank one afternoon and began playing pretty airs, 
among them the Northern patriotic chants and war 
songs. "Now give us some of ours !" shouted our 
pickets, and at once the music swelled into Dixie, 
My Maryland, and the Bonnie Blue Flag. Then, 
after a mighty cheer, a slight pause, the band again 
began, all listening; this time it was the tender, 
melting bars of Home, Sweet Home,, and on both 
sides of the river there were joyous shouts, and 
many wet eyes could be found among those hardy 
warriors under the flags. "One touch of nature 
makes the whole world kin." 

Of course the enemy's powerful artillery on Staf- 
ford Heights would have been an efficient aid in 
resisting an attack on his infantry before, and while 
recrossing the river. But they were badly demoral- 
ized and would probably not have stood long with 
that threatening river in their rear and the trium- 
phant Confederates in the front. There was much 
private discussion then, and after, among the intel- 
ligent of the Federals as to why they were not 
struck after their sanguinary defeat. A general 
belief existed among them that we were deficient 
in ammunition, the only explanation many of them 
were able to arrive at. We had no want of it. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

After Fredericksburg — Reminiscences 

Fredericksburg after the battle — Flag of truce — Burying dead 
— General Wadsworth, U. S. A. — Again on enemy's side 
with flag of truce — At their picket fire — Colonel Brown, of 
Rhode Island — Bitter cold — All night in their camp — Lux- 
uries for the wounded — First Georgia Regulars — They are 
ordered home — Want of shoes — Captain Cuthbert, of 
South Carolina. 

The battle was indeed fought and finished, and 
although the triumph of victory rested with us, and 
the enemy was back in his lines, beaten and dispirited, 
yet it cannot be said that there had been achieved a 
result so decisive as to bring us near the end of the 
war. 

We were caring for our dead. The enemy was 
to do so for his. They lay in great numbers on the 
plain. General Lee wrote Burnside and I carried 
the letter under a flag of truce through the town to 
the ferry, where was found a pontoon, and my men 
took me across. It was pitiful riding through the 
town, considerably damaged as it was by the artillery 
fire from Stafford Heights, but more still from the 
plundering and looting that had gone on while in 
possession of the United States troops. Furniture, 
bedding, mattresses, carpets, china, domestic utensils, 
indeed all that went to make up those comfortable 
old homes, were strewn belter skelter, broken and 
ruined about the streets. The streets were filled 
with distressed women and children, both black and 



146 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

white. But we passed on — "C'est a la guerre comme 
a la guerre!" My pontoon landed me at the foot 
of a steep road that ascended the hill and I was 
immediately met by a number of officers in brilliant 
uniforms. For myself I must have been awfully 
shabby; never at any time given to military finery, 
while campaigning, I think I was worse off than 
usual here at Fredericksburg. The weather had been 
atrocious, and mud and I were closely acquainted 
day and night. There was, too, so much to do that 
one had no time for repairing damages. 

But my reception by the Federal officers was 
extremely courteous while awaiting an answer to 
General Lee's missive, now on its way to Burnside, 
whose headquarters were near by. 

There were Major-General Park, chief of staff to 
the army; Major-General Wadsworth (whom I was 
to see in eighteen months at the "Wilderness" mider 
different circumstances) ; Brig.-Gen. Jim Hardie, 
and many others, all having some inquiries to make 
for friends on our side. General Wadsworth asked 
me how many dead I thought lay on our front. 'T 
ask. Major," he said, "so as to make my burying 
parties strong enough." 

I said : "I cannot possibly guess with any approach 
to accuracy. I have only ridden through the slain in 
front of Marye's Hill, and it seemed that there must 
be at least 800 there awaiting burial." "My God, 
my God!" groaned the old officer, deeply depressed 
by such mortality. Instead of 800, they buried 
nearly 1,200 men in that small front, besides some 
300 in front of Jackson's position. General Burn- 
side's answer soon came, and saluting my Federal 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 147 

acquaintances I was quickly on our own side of the 
river and the Federal commander's letter in Lee's 
possession. 

Strong burial parties immediately came across 
for their ghastly duty. General Wadsworth was a 
wealthy, middle-aged man from the lovely Genessee 
Valley, New York, owning great tracts of land; 
but considered it his patriotic duty to raise some 
battalions for the army and did so, placing himself 
at their head. The Government showed him all 
honor, conferring at once high rank. 

A day or two later it became necessary to see the 
Northerners again. Their burying parties were 
making hideous work with the dead soldiers ; throw- 
ing them in heaps in shallow trenches, barely cov- 
ered; filling the country ice houses and wells with 
them; indeed, doing this work most brutally for 
themselves, and intolerably for our citizens. Gen- 
eral Lee called Burnside's attention to the revolting 
conduct of the latter's men and I went across the 
river, with also some verbal details. 

The pontoon had been drawn in by the owners 
and was in the Union rear with the bridge train. 
There was naught to cross in except a broken, leaky 
little batteau that was found in a cellar. The river 
was smooth and one of my men managed to paddle 
the crazy thing safely across. There I was met by 
Colonel Brown, commanding a Rhode Island regi- 
ment on picket duty, who civilly invited me to the 
comfort of his camp fire while awaiting the com- 
munication from his army headquarters, now quite 
a distance off. I was detained some time, and the 
Colonel (a lawyer of high reputation from Provi- 



148 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

dence, Rhode Island,) had time for much general 
talk. At last, making my thanks and farewell, I 
started back, only to find my man at the river's edge 
almost frozen and the batteau sunk out of sight with 
darkness on us! A pretty kettle of fish, indeed! 
The water rough, wind strong, and already freezing. 
There was nothing for it but to take my man back 
with me to the picket and get a message to head- 
quarters of my plight, with request of assistance to 
cross. After another considerable wait there came 
an ofiicer and several mounted orderlies leading a 
good horse; this was for me. The ofiicer brought 
a civil message from the adjutant-general regretting 
that they had nothing at hand to float (their pon- 
toons being in the rear), and hoping I could be made 
comfortable for the night. Leaving my soldier to 
the good care of the friendly pickets, I mounted and 
was led to the large house on the hill, at that time 
in use as a hospital. There my escort left me and 
I found myself for the night in the great kitchen of 
the establishment, filled with bright warmth and 
savory smells of good food. 

A blanket or two had to do me for bedding, but 
I was soon asleep, after the soldier cooks had given 
me food, always with full respect to rank and 
authority. 

To see what they had, its quality, its abundance, 
filled one's heart with envy when contrasted with 
the doled-out, bare necessities of life the lot of our 
own uncomplaining fellows. 

Here in this great kitchen were huge swinging 
vessels of odorous real coffee; immense chunks of 
fat, fresh beef of all parts of the animal ; great slabs 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 149 

of dessicated vegetables, which, when thrown with 
knuckles of meat and good flesh into the boiling 
cauldron, puffed out, swelling each vegetable into 
something like freshness, and then with free dashes 
of salt and pepper, behold, a soup of strength and 
tastiness fit for Faint Heart himself to fight on. 
They gave me of it all and I tasted all, sleeping well 
and early up. My man, who had fared well too, 
was soon at hand, and the boat raised, bailed out, 
landed us safely on our own bank. The soldier with 
me was Jesse Beall, private from Milledgeville in a 
Georgia regiment. I was disposed at first to be 
vexed by such rough lodgings (a parlimentaire being 
entitled to the best), but Colonel Kip explained that 
there was really nothing else to be done at that hour 
of night. Of course they could not carry me through 
the lines to their own comfortable staff quarters in 
the rear. 

Many years after, hearing that there was in 
Savannah, passing through, a Colonel Brown, of 
Rhode Island, with his wife, I called on him. It 
proved to be my friend of the picket fire, and his 
wife, with much enthusiasm, declared he had spoken 
of the incident fifty times. Colonel Brown had some 
more talk this time, quite free, and like very many 
Union officers marveled why they were not attacked 
after a repulse so bloody and disastrous. He said 
that want of ammunition could only explain it to 
him. Brown was a middle aged, delicate man, a 
member of the well-known Brown family of Rhode 
Island. 

He said he had raised his regiment from patriotic 
convictions and carried it through the battle of 



150 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Fredericksburg; then he gave way to younger, 
stronger men and resigned. He was a broad, fair- 
minded man, with no deep prejudices against the 
South. Next year he died, his townsmen showing 
in every way the honor and respect in which he was 
held. 

The First Georgia Regulars were posted at Ham- 
ilton's Crossing, near Fredericksburg, and had its 
ranks much thinned by the casualties of several 
campaigns. It could not be recruited like other 
regiments, being enlisted from all parts, and the 
Department therefore ordered it home to fill its 
ranks. 

I rode myself, orders in hand, to its camp. I 
had many friends among the officers and knew how 
delighted they would be ; and so it was, a wild shout 
of happiness at seeing old Georgia again, and the 
skeleton battalion began packing almost immediately 
for the route. After doing some enlistment it took 
an honorable part in the battle of Olustee, fought 
in Florida. Lieutenant Sorrel was with them until 
a captain's commission in the Adjutant-General's 
Department sent him to report in Virginia to Gen. 
John Bratton's South Carolina Brigade. 

I was in Europe in the summer of i860, and 
traveled on the continent a few weeks with George 
Cuthbert, of Beaufort, South Carolina. He was a 
pleasant fellow, and handsome, of good height and 
figure, and the fairest blonde, with beautiful blue 
eyes. Even in fair-haired Saxony, people turned to 
look at him. 

The war broke out and I did not know where 
Cuthbert would be serving. One day, however, in 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 151 

the winter of 1862-63, riding by the lines of one of 
our South CaroHna regiments, up rose Cuthbert, and 
I was immediately on my feet beside him. He was 
a Hne captain, had been wounded, and was at the 
moment as shabby a Confederate soldier as could be 
found anywhere. Razors had been discarded, and 
the German girls who liked to look at the handsome 
Southerner would not have deigned him a glance. 
I resolved to do something for his advancement, but 
the channels were such that I could not get him out 
of them. Soon after, however, an order came from 
Richmond to detail 160 shoemakers for the use of 
the Quartermaster-General — such was the stress we 
were in for shoes. Half the detail was ordered from 
Jackson's corps and half from Longstreet's. I sent 
out orders for our eighty Crispins, and when they 
were picked out of the whole corps, word was given 
to Captain Cuthbert to report at corps headquarters 
and a brief colloquy opened. 

"I say, Cuthbert, would you like to go to Rich- 
mond ?" "Wouldn't I ! — clean clothes, soap, a bath 
and a shave !" ^'Eighty shoemakers are to be taken 
there by rail and then turned over to the Quarter- 
master-General, and an officer must take the detail. 
Will you have it ?" "My dear Sorrel, give it to me ; 
for God's sake, give it to me — such a change after 
my long trench service. I'd land them safely with 
the Q. M. G. if they were eighty raving demons 
instead of the happy fellows they doubtless are in 
getting such a detail." "All right, old chap, take 
your fellows off by train to-morrow; here are the 
orders. And I say, Cuthbert, while you are in 
Richmond don't hurry too much ; you can make the 
duty last you a week or ten days." 



152 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

He was very grateful for being thought of, per- 
formed his work satisfactorily, and then enjoyed 
himself hugely. 

I was glad to think of this later, since he was one 
of many personal friends who gave up his life in 
battle. The incident also illustrated the great straits 
the Confederate supply department was in to keep 
the troops equipped for the field. This was especially 
the case with shoes. 



CHAPTER XIX 
To South Virginia for Supplies 

Burnside's "mud march" — His removal — Hooker superseding 
him — Our great want of supplies — Longstreet ordered to 
south Virginia — Hood's and Pickett's divisions with him — 
I precede them — Inspecting fort at Washington, N. C. — 
Rejoin the command at Suffolk — Gathering supplies- 
Operations against Suffolk not successful — Ordered back 
to Lee — All haste — No time lost, but too late for Chan- 
cellorsville — Pickett's courtship — Harrison, the scout- 
Death of Stonewall Jackson — Lieutenant Habersham. 

Here then for some weeks did the two armies 
lay in the peace of camp Hfe after the fever of 
battle. Burnside attempted a movement, known as 
the mud march, quickly made abortive by the condi- 
tion of roads, and then Mr. Lincoln reluctantly 
removed him, placing Hooker — 'Tighting Joe 
Hooker" — in command of the Army of the Poto- 
mac. It was in May before he attempted his disas- 
trous move against Lee and Jackson. 

Meantime, our army was in want of all supplies. 
The subsistence department lacked fresh meat. In 
southern Virginia and eastern North Carolina there 
were said to be large quantities of small cattle 
which, fattened on the good Virginia pasture lands, 
would greatly help the subsistence officers. There 
were also there large stores of bacon and corn. 
It was decided to send part of Lee's army to operate 
in that region, and, at the same time, by covering 
large wagon trains, we should be enabled to use 
that part of the country for the Virginia army. 



154 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

It had sometimes been occupied by the enemy, 
at all times exposed to their sudden incursions. 
But these, it is thought, formed the least of the 
reasons governing Lee when sending Longstreet 
and two of his strong divisions to Nansemond and 
Suffolk. It was daring to make such a large draft 
on his army, but Lee was given to daring efforts, 
with a great objective in view. The Northern army 
was becoming dangerously strong for him to view 
calmly, and another strong body was preparing to 
threaten Richmond from a different quarter. Lee 
may have reasoned, as he did in some of his Valley 
operations, that by detaching Longstreet, Hooker 
would be quickly induced to follow him, by sending 
from his army a still larger force for the safety of 
the threatened districts. But it proved they had 
enough troops for such reinforcements without 
impairing Hooker's great strength. 

Our two divisions. Hood's and Pickett's, and a 
battalion of artillery broke camp and halted at 
Petersburg, whence the force found camps on the 
Nansemond River, in a manner besieging the town 
of Suffolk, strongly held by the Federals. 

By Longstreet's order I set out alone for a short 
visit of inspection to the eastern boundary of North 
Carolina. It was the little town of Washington, 
on the head of a tidal river, that, I think, I first 
visited. There was nothing there but a well-built, 
strong earthwork fort, and a fine, full regiment, 
doing nothing and eager for action. It was not 
likely to come to them at that dull place, and on 
my recommendation the regiment was sent to Lee. 

The lieutenant-colonel (Lamb) gave me a warm 
fur collar, which was always a comfort, and he 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 155 

was delighted with the pair of spurs I made him 
accept from me (they were made from the brass 
trunnion beds of the monitor Keokuk, sunk by our 
forces at Charlestown). Poor Lamb was killed in 
the first engagement of his regiment. My instruc- 
tions were to lose no time, but, after a glance 
around, hasten back to the command. When I re- 
turned it was seen that nothing had been achieved. 
Some little bluffing had been made at the town of 
Suffolk, in which we lost two pieces of artillery 
and gained nothing. Time was passing, the Vir- 
ginia roads improving, and some restlessness appar- 
ent among us. We knew, of course, that Hooker 
must soon fight, and that we should be there. At 
last General Lee sent for us in haste, not a moment 
was to be lost. Not a moment was lost ; we threw 
everything into movement, realizing how keenly our 
beloved commander and comrades on the Rappa- 
hannock would be wanting their Lieutenant-Gen- 
eral and his two splendid divisions. But it was 
humanly impossible. We were late. Hooker had 
attacked rather earlier than expected, and on May 3 
the battle was given, and our great Jackson fell in 
glorious victory while we were miles distant by 
railroad from the memorable field of Chancellors- 
ville. 

General Pickett was a widower, but had recently 
suffered himself to fall in love with all the ardor 
of youth. The object of these fiery, if mature, 
affections dwelt not far from Suffolk. Pickett's 
visits were frequent, a long night ride and return 
for duty early next day. Perhaps he had wearied 
Longstreet by frequent applications to be absent, but 



156 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

once he came to me for the authority. My answer 
was, "No, you must go to the Lieutenant-General." 
"But he is tired of it, and will refuse; and I must 
go, I must see her. I swear. Sorrel, I'll be back 
before anything can happen in the morning." I 
could not permit myself to be moved. If anything 
did happen, such as a movement of his division or 
any demonstration against it, my responsibility for 
the absence of the ^Major-General could not be ex- 
plained. But Pickett went all the same, nothing 
could hold him back from that pursuit. He mar- 
ried some time after. I don't think his division 
benefited by such carpet-knight doings in the field. 

While Longstreet was holding this brief inde- 
pendent command, a scout, more properly a spy, 
was placed at his service by the War Department. 
He was a man of about thirty years, calling him- 
self a Mississippian, and was altogether an extra- 
ordinary character. He was paid in United States 
greenbacks. I approved requisition on the quarter- 
master every month for $150 for him. His time 
seemed to be passed about equally within our lines 
and the enemy's. Harrison (such was his name) 
always brought us true information. There was 
invariable confirmation of his reports afterwards. 

While always suspicious that such secret instru- 
ments give away as much as they bring and may 
be in the pay of both sides, it was difficult to be 
sure of this in Harrison's case. He went every- 
where, even through Stanton's War Office at Wash- 
ington itself, and brought in much. We could never 
discover that he sold anything against us; besides, 
we had means, and did verify his account of himself 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 157 

as coming from Mississippi. When Longstreet 
gave him up in September, he was sorry afterwards 
and missed the man. He made me try to get him 
back for our command, but I failed. 

There will be more to say of Harrison before los- 
ing him. On the whole he appears to have been 
a daring Southerner, hating Yankees most bitterly, 
but loving their greenbacks, and fond of secret, 
perilous adventure. Latrobe recently heard from 
him in Baltimore, in want, and asking some small 
assistance. 

Upon rejoining our army after Chancellorsville 
we were, of course, eager questioners and listeners 
for everything about the battle. 

Gratifying it was to hear on all sides of the 
conduct of our two divisions, which bore so large 
a part of the attacks on Lee. Anderson and 
McLaws had never fought better; while Lee, to 
hold his position and beat off Hooker, had to have 
the very best every man could give him. It was a 
battle most extraordinary in its execution and de- 
velopment. The powerful movement on Lee's rear 
by Sedgwick's force from Fredericksburg was 
enough to disconcert any ordinary commander. 
Lee, calm and undismayed, met it by thinning out 
his lines to almost a frazzle, and throwing a good 
division before John Sedgwick, while he and Jack- 
son were preparing the blow that made *Tighting 
Joe Hooker's" head split with surprise and agony 
and sent him flying back across the Rappahannock. 

The great flank movement of Stonewall had been 
carefully planned by Lee and most brilliantly exe- 
cuted by the Lieutenant. But the army had suffered 



158 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

the irreparable loss of that hero. Struck down in 
the gloaming and thick foliage of the forest, by his 
own men, his dauntless spirit clung to his army 
for a week, among ever-hopeful soldiers, and then 
took its warrior's flight to its Supreme Maker. 
There was none left in his place ; there w^as but one 
Jackson. 

When Marye's Hill was attacked by Sedgwick 
in Lee's rear, the battery in action there had to 
make a hurried escape. One of its officers, a dear 
friend of mine, Lieut. Frederick Habersham, had 
been killed at his section. His comrades determined 
to have his body, and lashed it to the trail of a gun, 
and there it hung, firmly bound, a sight not often 
witnessed, while the battery, already late in retiring, 
was at a gallop in escape from the pursuing enemy. 
It was accomplished handsomely, and the brave fel- 
low received his interment by the hands of loving 
wife and friends at his home in Savannah. It w^as 
my brother, Doctor Sorrel, in Richmond, who, with 
many difficulties, arranged for the care and trans- 
portation home of the slain artillerist. 



CHAPTER XX 

Preparing for Gettysburg 

Preparations for summer campaign — Army reorganized — Three 
Army Corps — A. P. Hill made lieutenant-general, com- 
manding Third Corps — Lieutenant-General Ewell com- 
manding Second Corps — Stuart's cavalry reviewed — Its fine 
condition — Longstreet and his scout Harrison — Lee's 
intricate operations — Stuart's cavalry movements — He 
crosses below — The loss to Lee — The march through 
Maryland and Pennsylvania — No depredations — Halt at 
Chambersburg — Scout Harrison reports Meade in com- 
mand, superceding Hooker — Ewell ordered to leave — 
March resumed, A. P. Hill leading, gaining decided suc- 
cess. 

General Lee began now to prepare for his 
summer campaign. It was secretly settled that it 
should be an invasion of Pennsylvania. There were 
many things that assisted in arriving at this decision 
in the conferences with the president and chiefs of 
the Government at Richmond. Virginia had been 
fiercely fought over, and ravaged by the tramp of 
hostile armies. Now, it looked as if the enemy 
should feel something of such sacrifices. If we 
could live on the supplies we hoped to find north of 
the Potomac, the already serious question of food 
and forage for our men and animals would lighten 
up temporarily, at least ; and finally, the men of arms 
were eager for the movement and most enthusiastic 
at the start. 

First of all, Lee had to reorganize his army. 
Jackson's death made this necessary; besides, the 
two corps had grown, individually, rather large for 



160 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

effective handling. He created a third corps and 
placed A. P. Hill in command of it, perhaps the best 
arrangement possible at the time. One division was 
taken from Longstreet — Anderson's; one from 
Jackson — Heth's, and the third, under Pender, was 
made up of unassigned commands, of which there 
were quite a number between Richmond and the 
Generars camps. 

The second (Ewell's) was of Early's, Rodes's, 
and E. Johnson's divisions. 

The first (Longstreet's) was of Hood's, McLaws's 
and Pickett's divisions. 

Suitable artillery details were made to meet these 
changes, which went in effect smoothly and 
effectively. 

On the cavalry, special care was bestowed. It had 
been heavily strengthened and much improved by 
selections of men and horses. For some time, dur- 
ing inaction, they had been getting good forage and 
pasturage. Now, when the time was near for the 
use of this formidable arm under Stuart, its able and 
famous leader, it was ready for the Commander-in- 
Chief. 

What irony of fate that the great approaching 
campaign should be fought and lost without that 
bold leader and his riders being at Lee's touch, when 
indeed he wanted them, bitterly missing having 
Stuart and his great body of unsurpassed horse near 
by him. 

The activity of preparation went through all 
departments — Quartermaster's, Subsistence, Ord- 
nance, and Medical. It could be guessed that the 
military operations would be of great severity and 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 161 

exaction and it behooved all officers of supply to be 
ready ; to fail would be fatal. 

The cavalry were assembled under Stuart in 
Northern Virginia, on lands growing richer and 
richer in grass with the advancing weeks. It was 
a magnificent day, befitting the superb body of 
cavalry that, under Stuart, marched rapidly in review 
before the Commander-in-Chief. A sight it was not 
soon tO' be forgotten. The utmost order prevailed. 
There could be no doubt that the cavalry was as 
ready for the work before us as was our matchless 
infantry. 

Longstreet sent for his favorite scout, Harrison. 
His instructions were to proceed into the enemy's 
lines, where he was to stay until the last part of June. 
Then he was to report to General Longstreet, it was 
hoped, with the amplest and most accurate informa- 
tion. "Where shall I find you, General, to make 
this report?" asked Harrison. "With the army," 
was Longstreet's grim answer ; "I shall be sure to be 
with it." He was very far from giving even to his 
trusted scout information as to his movements. But 
Harrison knew all the same; he knew pretty much 
everything that was going on. 

The operation now performed by General Lee was 
intricate, of much delicacy and hazard. It was to 
move from his position in front of Hooker without 
exposing any part of his forces, or Richmond, to be 
attacked in detail, and this important part of the 
grand maneuver was left to Longstreet and his corps, 
with the cavalry in communication. 

The corps of Ewell (formerly Jackson's) and A. 
P. Hill were sent ahead by easy marches, keeping a 



162 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

certain distant touch with Longstreet. The moun- 
tain gaps were filled with Stuart's cavalry and the 
enemy held in close observation. All went well. 
Hooker made no attempt to follow. Lee moved 
toward Washington leisurely, as if to meet him there 
later. 

Stuart's part with his cavalry was now most 
important. It is contended by some that Lee left 
it finally optional for him to decide upon his move- 
ments. Whether to follow the army by crossing the 
river in the west of the ridge or by one of the lower 
fords. In the latter event it was, as it proved, to 
lose Lee and leave him without his strong arm in an 
enemy's country. It has been attempted to show 
also that the order by which Stuart moved came from 
Longstreet. But this must be dismissed; positive 
information to the contrary being at hand. Sur- 
prising to say, it now appears that Stuart left the 
army with his fine command and started on his too 
fascinating raid, not only by his own preference, but 
actually in violation of Lee's orders, which failed to 
reach him. All doubt had passed from Lee's mind 
and he had ordered Stuart to keep with him. The 
latter was raiding, and Lee's campaign was lost. 

Major McClellan, Stuart's A. A. G. and chief of 
staff, in his history of that cavalry (an excellent 
work) declares that in his opinion the absence of 
Stuart was the cause of Lee's trouble ; and for myself 
I have never doubted it. It is not to be supposed 
that no cavalry whatever was left with the army. 
Stuart's defenders have taken pains to point that 
out. There was a squadron or two, here and there, 
a regiment at one place, and a brigade under an 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 163 

efficient commander left in the rear. But these 
separate little commands amounted to nothing. It 
was the great body of that splendid horse under their 
leader Stuart that Lee wanted. He was the eyes 
and ears and strong right arm of the commander, 
and well may he have missed him. All through the 
marches he showed it. 

Stuart was on a useless, showy parade almost 
under the guns of the Washington forts, and his 
horse, laurel-wreathed, bore the gay rider on amid 
songs and stories. He met some opposition, of 
course, and had a share of fighting in Ashby's Gap 
and the plain on the east. 

When he rejoined Lee it was with exhausted 
horses and half worn-out men in the closing hours 
of Gettysburg. 

Had he been with Lee where would our com- 
mander have made his battle ? Possibly, not on that 
unfavorable ground of Gettysburg. Lee with his 
personally weak opponent, and Stuart by him, could 
almost have chosen the spot where he would be sure 
to defeat the Union Army. 

This, however, somewhat anticipates ; going back 
we find our three corps with their military pushed 
across the river with energy. The Second (Ewell's), 
the Third (A. P. Hill's), and Longstreet last. All 
infantry and artillery across, leaving only about a 
brigade of cavalry on the south side. The enemy 
for some days had quite disappeared from our obser- 
vations. The march proceeded through Maryland 
and Pennsylvania in good form. General Lee's orders 
against depredations being most peremptory. At 
Chambersburg a halt was made over Sunday and our 



164 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

corps had the place well guarded and protected from 
plunder by loose bodies of men. Our chief com- 
missary, Moses, made a forced requisition and got 
some supplies and necessaries, not very much. 

At night I was roused by a detail of the provost 
guard bringing up a suspicious prisoner. I knew 
him instantly; it was Harrison, the scout, filthy and 
ragged, showing some rough work and exposure. 
He had come to ^'Report to the General, who was 
sure to be with the army," and truly his report was 
long and valuable. I should here say that in every 
respect it was afterwards fully confirmed by events 
and facts. Harrison gave us the first complete 
account of the operations of the enemy since Hooker 
left our front. He brought his report down to a 
day or two, and described how they were even then 
marching in great numbers in the direction of Gettys- 
burg, with intention apparently of concentrating 
there. He also informed us of the removal of 
Hooker and the appointment of George Meade to 
command of the Army of the Potomac. How many 
commanders had Lee made for that army ! Harris 
son's report was so exceedingly important that I took 
him at once with me, and woke Longstreet. He was 
immediately on fire at such news and sent the scout 
by a staff officer to General Lee's camp near by. 
The General heard him with great composure and 
minuteness. It was on this, the report of a single 
scout, in the absence of cavalry, that the army moved. 
Important as was the change, the commanding Gen- 
eral was not long in deciding. He sent orders to 
bring Ewell immediately back from the North about 
Harrisburg, and join his left. Then he started A. 



CONFElDERATE STAEF OFFICER 165 

P. Hill off at sunrise for Gettysburg, followed by 
Longstreet. The enemy was there, and there our 
General would strike him. 

The march was much impeded by too many troops 
and trains on one road and Ewell's men breaking in 
on the route next day to get to their position. 

The army thus moved forward, and A. P. Hill 
leading, struck the enemy near, and in, the town of 
Gettysburg sharply on the afternoon of July i. We 
were following some little distance in rear, and heard 
the lively fire of cannon and rifles, and soon after 
got the news of Hill's and Ewell's decided success 
in an important preliminary engagement. Many 
prisoners and much material remained with the 
Confederates. This stimulated every one forward, 
and Ewell taking position on our left, we were all 
snugly in bivouac at a good hour, with Longstreet's 
two divisions, McLaws and Hood, about four miles 
in rear, but ready for movement next day. Pickett 
had been doing guard duty at Chambersburg and 
was not yet up, but would be in the morning. The 
serious mishap of the day was Ewell's failure to 
seize the heights on the left. General Lee expected 
it of him, and we know of no impediment. 



CHAPTER XXI 
Battle of Gettysburg, July i, 2, 3, 1863. 

Expectation of revelations — Longstreet and Lee — Attacks not 
in good combination between the three corps — July 2, 
situation unfavorable — Our heavy attack on the right — 
Ground and guns taken — Round Top reinforced checks 
us — Longstreet leads — Hood and Longstreet — Am slightly 
wounded — Lieutenant-Colonel Freemantle, Coldstream 
Guards — Captain Ross, Austrian Army — July 3, necessity 
of a stroke — Pickett's charge — His repulse — Lee's noble 
encouragements — July 4, not attacked — Holding ground — 
Withdrawal at night — The retreat, and passage of the 
river. 

On the tremendous and decisive battle of Gettys- 
burg, now about to engage the two armies, more has 
probably been written than on any battle since 
Waterloo. There seems to be a feeling abroad that 
great secrets explaining why we were beaten are yet 
to be told and that they are locked up in the breasts 
of a few men, one of them the present writer, Long- 
street's chief of staff. There is absolutely nothing 
in that expectation; no living man knows more 
about the battle than has already been written. 

Lee has made his report. Longstreet has written 
a book and said his say. The staff has little or noth- 
ing to add. Communications were in the main be- 
tween Lee and Longstreet, verbally, or occasionally 
by note direct. 

The story has been in part told by Longstreet. 
We can discover that he did not want to fight on 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 167 

the ground or on the plan adopted by the General- 
in-Chief. As Longstreet was not to be made willing 
and Lee refused to change or could not change, the 
former failed to conceal some anger. There was 
apparent apathy in his movements. They lacked the 
fire and point of his usual bearing on the battle- 
field. His plans may have been better than Lee's, 
but it was too late to alter them with the troops 
ready to open fire on each other. Ewell on the left, 
A. P. Hill and Longstreet on the right, seemed never 
able tO' work together, and I can well imagine the 
great soul of our Commander deeply furrowed with 
the difficulties about him and what was going on 
to the disadvantage of the army. This is all I shall 
permit myself to express on this well-worn but ever 
interesting subject. One can build many theories, 
but theories only will they be; besides, my opinion 
is already given that the loss of the campaign was 
due to the absence of Stuart's cavalry. 

I proceed to jot down idly some "choses vues" 
of the military events and incidents of the three 
great days of this remarkable historic battle and the 
days immediately about it. 

The situation on the morning of the 2nd was far 
from favorable to us. First of all, our position, 
compared with the enemy's, was not good. It may 
be said to have been decidedly inferior. We were 
the outer line, he held the inner. We were the cord 
to the arc on which his heavy columns were massed. 
True, there were some positions on the left that were 
in Ewell's possession and could be well used. Round 
Top and his high shoulders were on our right, and 
held by us would be everything. This Lee quickly 



168 



RECOLLECTIONS OF A 



saw and tried for. They made the key for the posi- 
tion, and with it dangHng at our girdle the lock 
would have yielded and the door opened. But we 
were too late on our right. An attack, powerful 
indeed, at 4 p. m. was quite different from the com- 
manding General's expectation of one in the fore- 
noon. 

Late on the first, and early on the second, Hill and 
Ewell were heavily engaged with apparently no sat- 
isfactory results. 

On the second, quite late, 4 p. m., Longstreet 
made his long-deferred attack on the enemy's left. 
It was done in smashing style by McLaws's and 
Hood's divisions and a few of Hill's troops. Long- 
street personally leading the attack with splendid 
effect. 

His fine horsemanship as he rode, hat in hand, 
and martial figure, were most inspiring. 

We gained ground rapidly and almost carried 
Round Top, but the morning delay was fatal. It 
had been heavily reinforced while we were potter- 
ing around in sullen inactivity. Undoubtedly Lee's 
intention was to make the attack in the forenoon 
and suport it with strong movements by Hill and 
Ewell. I think it would have won, notwithstanding 
the dif^culties of position. The attempt was made 
to move the troops to the right into position with- 
out discovery by the enemy, but it was abortive. 

We were seen from the start and signaled con- 
stantly. Much valuable time was lost by this trial, 
which with better knowledge of the ground by Gen- 
eral Lee's engineers would not have been attempted. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 169 

At nightfall the combat was over and we were 
dragging off our captured cannon and standards, 
and caring for our dead and wounded. 

The loss in storming the position on the right 
was heavy. When Hood's division was across the 
turnpike, under orders to attack, he begged me to 
look at it, report its extreme difficulty, and implore 
Longstreet to make the attack another way. This 
was done, but the answer I took to Hood was that 
the attack must instantly be made, that General Lee 
had so directed; and forward and upward the gal- 
lant Hood charged, almost gaining the plateau of 
Round Top, the key of the enemy's left. 

The staff had been hard at work day and night, 
and my exhausted frame found rest that night in 
the snuggest fence corner in sight. The ground to 
weary bones felt as good as a feather bed. In addi- 
tion, I had been suffering from a painful but not 
serious wound. Riding with Bearing's artillery late 
in the afternoon, while exchanging some shots, a 
shrapnel burst directly over us, one of the large pro- 
jectiles striking me on the right arm near the shoul- 
der. It was not broken or pierced, but paralyzed 
for use for at least ten days, and quite black down to 
the wrist. Painful, of course, it was, but a small 
matter where there was so much death and mangling. 

On the march through Virginia we had received 
a delightful acquisition to our headquarters party, 
in Lieutenant-Colonel Freemantle, of the Cold- 
stream Guards. 

He had entered the Confederacy on a visit of 
observation, well fortified with credentials from his 
own government, and, traveling through all the Con- 



170 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

federate States, had arrived in Richmond just in 
time to join Lee's army in its invasion of Pennsyl- 
vania. 

With good letters of introduction he had been 
sent to us and there could not be a finer fellow. 
He roughed it with the hardest, and took everything 
as it came. A quick, observant eye and indefatigable 
sightseer, apparently nothing escaped him. When 
the campaign was ended and the Confederates mak- 
ing their way back to Virginia, Freemantle said his 
farewells and made the best of his way to New York, 
whence he immediately took steamer for England. 
There he published an entertaining little book,'Three 
Months in the Southern States," which was later 
reproduced by a worn-out, decrepit old press at 
Mobile, a copy of the issue being now a great rarity. 
Freemantle had met Southern men of all kinds, and 
his book has many pen pictures by this fine ofiicer 
and friend of ours. His regiment, a corps d'elite, 
soon sent him to the staff, where he distinguished 
himself, and successively obtained rank as major- 
general, lieutenant-general, and general, with several 
military orders of coveted distinction. He is now 
Sir Arthur Lyon-Freemantle, K. C. M. G.,* and of 
other good-service orders. He commanded the bri- 
gade of guards in Egypt, and has just finished 
(about retiring) his four years' tour of duty as 
Governor of Malta, one of the greatest of the Brit- 
ish military posts. He is delightful to every Con- 
federate he can put his hands upon. 

There was another foreign officer with us at this 
time, and for some months later. Captain Fitzgerald 
Ross, very Scotch as to name, but Austrian to the 

*Sir Lyon-Freemantle has since died. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 171 

core. He came of one of those military Scotch or 
north of Ireland families that centuries ago settled 
in many parts of Europe and generally rose to 
distinction. 

On the morning of July 3, it was apparent that a 
great blow must be delivered to Meade's army. He 
could not be persuaded to leave his formidable posi- 
tions and instruments and attack us, and Lee could 
not retreat without another effort, indecisive as had 
been those of the 2d. Our General, as has been said, 
did not mind blood when it had to be shed. It is the 
soldier's calling. Here was a case in point: His 
army and trains could only be saved by a tremendous 
strike straight at the enemy. The time for maneu- ^ 
vering had passed and he prepared for what was\ fj-tr^^ 
before him. He believed his troops could do what JvAA^*-^ 
he asked of them ; never yet had they failed him. / '^ 

The attack was to be made as soon as possible, 
under direction of Lee's "War Horse," that stout 
warrior James Longstreet, with three brigades of 
Pickett's division (right), Heth's division of Hill's 
corps (left), with supports of several brigades of 
other divisions thrown into position. 

An artillery "feu d'enfer" was to precede the 
attack, directed by E. P. Alexander, who was to give 
the signal when in his judgment the artillery had 
made the greatest impression, and then the troops 
were to move instantly across the wide, lead-swept 
plain, against the heavy masses of blue on the crest 
of the heights. All this was done at about 2 o'clock, 
Longstreet accepting Alexander's signal message 
with dejection, it seemed. Indeed, the delay in attack- 
ing which undoubtedly hurt us was apparently caused 



172 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

by his objections made known to the Commander- 
in-Chief, but of course all this is set out from that 
standpoint in Longstreet's own book. 

It was soon over. Pickett's men got far up the 
acclivity and many were soon among the enemy. 
There was, however, some wavering on our left, 
which weakened us, and we broke, tearing back pell- 
mell, torn by shot and shell across the width of that 
bloody plain, a sight never before witnessed — part 
of the Army of Northern Virginia in full, breathless 
flight. 

But there was no pursuit and the run soon stopped. 
The soldiers got together, picked up arms, and in a 
short time were ready for another combat. 

If there was repulse and its usual result, a quick 
flight for cover, there was also something else. A 
charge that, considering the difficulties of position, 
comparison of numbers, was so steady to the objec- 
tive point, and so near success as to make it one of 
the greatest feats of arms in all the annals of war. 
Every brigade commander and colonel and lieuten- 
ant-colonel of Pickett's division was shot down. 
The brave Armistead and Gamett at the head of 
their brigades fell inside the enemy's parapet, and 
the gallant Kemper, hard hit and left for dead, lay 
with the men of his leading line. To-day, the detail 
of the great charge, not as barely hinted at here, 
but as described in full with ample particulars, 
mounts one's blood, stirs all hearts with deep tragedy 
and pride. Well do we know that amid all things 
to happen, the memory of Pickett's charge will for- 
ever live in song and story of that fair land for 
which the Southern soldier poured out his blood like 
water. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 173 

While Longstreet by no means approved the 
movement, his soldierly eye watched every feature 
of it. He neglected nothing that could help it and 
his anxiety for Pickett and the men was very 
apparent. 

Fearing some flank attacks if we succeeded, he 
had sent Latrobe to the left to warn the officer 
against its possibility. I went sharply off in search 
of Pickett to watch his right and if necessary move 
some troops in for meeting such an attempt. I did 
not meet with General Pickett and was soon up with 
Garnett and Armistead. The former was ill that 
morning, but was at the head of his men where he 
was to fall. Just here a shell burst under my horse 
(my best), a splendid chestnut mare, and down she 
came, both hind legs off. I luckily got another from 
a mounted man near by, who rather ruefully gave 
up his horse and saved my saddle for me. Latrobe 
also had his horse killed over on the left ; other staff 
officers were also sent forward with the troops and 
shared in the charge. 

General Lee's extreme agitation when he wit- 
nessed the repulse and race of our men for cover 
from that murderous fire has not been exaggerated 
in the prints. The noble soul was stirred to its 
inmost depths at the sight of the awful and fruitless 
sacrifices his men had made at his command. His 
generous heart could only say, 'Tt is my fault, I 
take it all — get together, men, we shall yet beat 
them." I saw no man fail him. 

It was on July 3 that a mail from the Department 
at Richmond brought my commission as lieutenant- 
colonel, A. A. G. Latrobe's and Fairfax's, as in- 
spectors, came along a few days later. 



O ' 



174 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Notwithstanding our great losses of the second 
and third, we were permitted to hold the field on 
the fourth by Meade's inactivity. His army was very 
strong, had not suffered as had ours, and an enter- 
prising general might seemingly have had us on 
the run in short order. 

But no ! he had taken a taste of our mettle the day 

before and w^anted no more of it. A bridge of gold 

, for his enemy was the card for Meade's hands. 

/ It is said on good authority that at a council called 

1 by Meade he was in favor of retiring, and it was 

only by strenuous, bold opposition of two or three of 

t his generals that he was prevented and induced to 

•keep his ground. 

Thus during all the fourth we were in preparation 
for the rear movement that must begin that night. 
Lee's position had become serious, but undismayed 
were the Confederate Chief and his three corps com- 
manders. He knew he could count on their tried 
courage and experience. 

The night of July 4, 1863, was of awful weather — 
rain in torrents, howling winds, and roads almost 
impassable; all trains had been sent back during the 
day, as well as the reserve artillery. At night artil- 
lery in position and pickets were withdrawn and the 
army moved back by its left — Ewell, Hill, and Long- 
street. It marched all night and part of next day, 
and then Lee with characteristic audacity selected 
a line of defense, entrenched and fortified it, and 
offered Meade battle for several days, while his im- 
mense trains were safely crossing the Potomac. 
Meade declined the challenge, and Lee resuming the 
retreat, crossed on the bridge of boats that had been 



% 






CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 175 

thrown over the river at FalHng Waters by the engi- 
neers — and a crazy affair it was, too. 

Our corps was all night crossing, and at dawn I 
was able to approach General Lee on the south bank, 
"tete de pont," with a report to that effect, adding 
that now everything was clear for General Hill's 
infantry. The General's anxiety was intense. He 
expected to be attacked at the passage of the river. 
There was good reason to fear; why Meade failed 
to do so is yet to be explained. General Lee, like 
every one, had been up the whole night, and his 
staff officers were stretched in sleep on the ground. 
He desired me to recross the bridge for him, see 
General Hill in person, and urge him to the utmost 
haste in getting his men over, stopping only when 
imperatively necessary. 

I immediately pushed back, finding the road deep 
in mud but clear of any impediment to the men. 
Broken wagons or a dismounted gun or two had 
been cleared away and thrown one side. General 
Lee's message was given and Hill asked me to assure 
the Commander that he should safely get across, 
notwithstanding a slight attack that was even then 
developing itself on his rear brigade — Pettigrew's. 
Some men were captured, but we suffered most loss 
in the death of that promising officer. 

Returning, I reported to the General that "all was 
clear. Hill was about three-quarters of a mile from 
the bridge and marching rapidly to it." "What 
was his leading division?" I was asked. "General 
Anderson, sir." "I am sorry. Colonel; my friend 
Dick is quick enough pursuing, but in retreat I fear 
he will not be as sharp as I should like." Just then 



176 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

a heavy gun was fired lower down, filling the gorge 
of the river with most threatening echoes. "There," 
said the General, "I was expecting it, the beginning 
of the attack." But he was wrong. The enemy 
made no further demonstration and Hill came safely 
across. Our corps had found camp some ten miles 
south of the river and there I soon threw myself 
down for rest and food. After a week of the most 
exhausting physical and mental trial it was indeed 
time for some repose. 



CHAPTER XXII 
Gettysburg Aftermath 

Retrospective — Invasion of Pennsylvania — Some character- 
istics — Pickett and perfumery — An acquisition — The 
inhabitants, Pennsylvania Dutch — Their cookery — Colonel 
Freemantle's activity — Figures as to strength and losses — 
Lieutenant Dawson — A curious meeting — The sweating 
soldier — Death of Captain Fraser. 

The invasion of Pennsylvania had many features 
of interest to our army. The country itself con- 
trasted greatly with our own. It was rolling in 
plenty, high cultivation was apparent on all sides, 
and the ripening wheat stood tall and golden. Gen- 
eral Lee's orders caused it to be well protected, and 
there was not much looting. The people seemed a 
queer lot. Hostile looks and imprecations were con- 
stantly leveled at the good-natured Southerners foot- 
ing it amid such new scenes. The cherries were ripe 
and the trees bending with delicious fruit. I recall 
one especial tree near Chambersburg that seemed 
beyond all others to tempt me. Sitting quietly in 
saddle, branch after branch was gently drawn down 
to the rider's thirsty lips almost to repletion, and 
good is the recollection even to this present day. 
The roads were magnificent in our eyes — metaled 
macadams, bearing the heaviest loads, and well 
drained and graded. The animals were nearly all 
for farm use, great lumbering, powerful horses, capa- 
ble of enormous draughts on those hard roads, but 
quite impossible to do anything out of a heavy walk. 



178 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

We thought to renew some of our quartermaster's 
and cavalry mounts from this source and a few 
horses were got across the river. They proved use- 
less and were soon abandoned. As we marched, the 
people were drawn to the roadside arrayed in their 
Sunday best, gazing viciously at the invaders. All 
work in town and country had stopped. Chambers- 
burg being quite a town, was subject to requisition, 
which did not, I think, yield much. 

We "persuaded," however, the principal shop- 
keepers to keep open, and they displayed some of 
their wares, doubtless old or unsalable stuff that 
they could not hide. Everything was strictly paid 
for in our national currency — Confederate bills! 

I did get something, however. Our good com- 
missary, Major Moses, managed to secure (by pay- 
ment, of course) a bolt of excellent velveteen, wear- 
ing quite as well as corduroy. Indeed, he got some 
of the latter also, and sent the plunder to our head- 
quarters, where the stuff went around sufificiently 
to give me a coat and trousers, which did good ser- 
vice, I think, till the end of things. He also man- 
aged to get a few felt hats, and deserved more, for 
he was grumbling furiously at the ill success of his 
important requisition for cash, stores, and army sup- 
plies; also for the sound rating and liberal abuse 
he had taken from the irate females in furious rage 
at his work. 

Lee and Longstreet were bivouacked near by in a 
beautiful grove of large trees not far from town. 
They both had many visits from citizens, generally 
with some trumped-up complaint as a means of see- 
ing the two celebrated soldiers. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER l79 

The women of the country were a hard-featured 
lot. The population, principally Pennsylvania 
Dutch, are an ignorant offshoot of a certain class 
of Germans long settled there. 

Many can speak no English. A hard-working, 
thrifty class, with, it seems, no thought but for their 
big horses and barns, huge road-wagons like ships 
at sea, and the weekly baking, and apple-butter. 
This last appeared to be their staple food. On the 
morning of the 3d, already mentioned, waking in 
my fence-corner, I took thought of breakfast and 
sent my man to an abandoned farm-house near by. 
The terrible shell and musketry fire of the previous 
day had driven off the owners hurriedly, for safety. 
But here was food galore. My soldier came back 
loaded with loaves of well-baked bread and jars of 
apple-butter — a week's baking of the bread, and the 
abominable butter once a year, I suppose. It did 
for once or so when very hungry, but I don't call it 
a nice breakfast anywhere. 

The drain of war had not here shown itself — none 
of the men out of this populous region seemed to 
have gone to the front. There was no need. The Gov- 
ernment, the State, counties, towns, and villages 
were all paying great bounties for the substitutes. 
The drafted man was serving at home, and there 
was joy at so much money among the foreign mer- 
cenaries brought over by the rich Northern and 
Eastern States, and among the ever-present and agile 
bounty- jumpers, who were indeed making their 
golden harvest. 

Our British friend. Colonel Freemantle, was 
bound to see everything. During one of the hottest 



180 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

hours of fire he climbed a tree with great agihty, 
and notwithstanding I bawled to him to come down, 
there he stuck with his binoculars. He was a very- 
small, slight man, wiry, and much enduring. I don't 
believe he changed his clothing or boots while with 
us, and I never saw him use a note-book or any 
scrap of paper as an aid to memory, and yet his 
book puts down things with much accuracy. 

In this great campaign and battle the numbers and 
casualties and lists may be fairly accepted as follows : 
Col. W. H. Taylor's figures as to strength — Army 
of the Potomac, of all arms, 105,000; Army of Nor- 
thern Virginia, of all arms, 63,000, or say 50,000 
infantry, 8,000 cavalry, 5,000 artillery. 

His figures are about right as to the Army of 
Northern Virginia. They would be verified by those 
of our own corps.. 

Confederate losses, 2,292 killed; 12,709 wounded: 
5,150 missing. 

It was about this time that Lieut. F. W. Dawson, 
C. S. Artillery, reported to our corps for duty. A 
few words of the career of this young man may not 
be without interest. He was an Englishman of uni- 
versity education, able and capable. He had come 
to see hard service. Colonel Manning, chief of ord- 
nance, wanting some assistance at that time, I 
assigned Dawson to do duty with the ordnance train. 
He was thoroughly competent, and made himself 
indispensable to Manning, whose taste took him 
more to adventures in the field. Dawson was made 
captain and also acquitted himself well under fire. 
With return of peace I lost sight of him until a year 
or two later he turned up as the able and aggressive 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 181 

editor and part proprietor of a leading newspaper 
of Charleston, South Carolina, and had reason to 
call for my help in a dangerous crisis. He was 
strongly on the respectable white side in the dark 
days of reconstruction, was bold and unflinching, 
showed extraordinary abilities, made many friends, 
married, and was assassinated at the very height of 
an adventurous career. 

This is curious in the way of happenings. It has 
been mentioned that the soldier who passed the night 
at Fredericksburg with me inside the enemy's lines 
was Private Jesse Beall. It has not been said, 
though, that my staff comrade and friend. Manning, 
had been desperately assailed, stabbed almost to 
death, by a fellow-student at the Georgia Military 
Institute. Manning recovered after long care, spoke 
only once, even to me, of what had happened, and 
then with a curious tension of feature. Another 
time w^e were riding together across fallow fields 
near camp, when a soldier came out, saluting us, 
and asked to speak with Colonel Manning. On re- 
joining me. Manning's face was set and deathly pale. 
''Sorrel," he said, ''that was the man who came so 
near murdering me. I had sworn to kill him on 
sight, and it was all I could do to stop myself while 
he stood by my horse. But he had a tale, and I 
believed him. It was remorse and horror of his 
deed. He humbly begged my forgiveness. Nothing 
else would content him, and I yielded to the man^s 
suffering and evident sincerity. I gave him my hand 
in parting, but never do I wish to see him again." 
It was Jesse Beall, Manning's assailant, and my man 
of the batteau. He was afterwards killed in battle. 



182 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

On a hot day's march across the river, General 
Lee, Longstreet, and their people had made a short 
midday halt in a little rising grove by the roadside, 
where we found a spring to wash down our soldier's 
fare. It was the hottest of July days, and the troops 
were moving by in long column, listlessly, and suf- 
ering from the heat. Soon I saw one of the men 
leave the ranks and approach General Lee. Some 
one tried to stop him, but the General kindly en- 
couraged his coming forward. He was a stout, 
well-built soldier, equal to any work, but sweating 
awfully. "What is it you want?" said Lee. "Please, 
General, I don't want much, but it's powerful wet 
marching this weather. I can't see for the water in 
my eyes. I came aside to this old hill to get a rag or 
something to wipe the sweat out of my eyes." "Will 
this do?" said the General, handkerchief in hand. 
"Yes, my Lordy, that indeed !" broke out the soldier. 
"Well, then take it with you, and back quick to 
ranks; no straggling this march, you know, my 
man." 

Lee's talk and manner with the soldier were 
inimitable in their encouraging kindness. It is only 
a single little example of what he was with them. 

At Gettysburg, on the 3d, I lost another dear per- 
sonal friend. Captain John C. Fraser, of Georgia, 
commanding a battery of artillery. He was work- 
ing it most effectively in action when struck down. 
Only a few days before he made me a visit, and 
noticing his very bad hat, I sent him off rejoicing in 
one of the felts Major Moses had given us. Then 
it pillowed his shattered head. 



CHAPTER XXIII 
In Virginia Again 

Lee moves across the ridge into the Piedmont country — Camps 
taken near Rapidan — Our Headquarters at Taylor's — 
Festivities and gaieties — Buying remounts — Scout Harrison 
again — Longstreet and two divisions start for Chicka- 
mauga — In Richmond — Harrison as Cassius — His dis- 
missal — The First Army Corps — Dissensions in Hood's 
Division — ^Jenkins and Law. 

The army being after some days refreshed and 
strengthened by rest and food and the return of 
wounded and stragglers, General Lee began pre- 
paring to move to a good position east of the moun- 
tains. It lay now in the Valley, and General Meade 
with great consideration molested us not nor gave 
us any uneasiness. As usual the cavalry filled the 
gaps of the Ridge and covered efficiently every 
approach, while the army slowly poured through its 
defiles to well-known camping grounds on the sunny 
slopes of the Piedmont glades and meadows. 
Gradually without incident we found good camps 
for several weeks in a rolling country bordered by 
the Rapidan. Our headquarters were in the grounds 
of Mr. Erasmus Taylor, a well-known gentleman, 
farming largely in that county, and everything was 
done by him for our comfort and amusement. The 
house was spacious, well fitted for dances and enter- 
tainments, and being crowded with joyous, happy 
Virginia girls there was no lack of fun and gaiety. 
We got out our best, cleaned up, kept the barber 



184 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

busy, became very particular as to the shine of our 
boots, and put forth all of our long disused bravery 
in honor of the lovely eyes and true Virginia hearts 
that were joyfully giving us welcome. There were 
for those young officers who had time to give, dances 
by day and evening at Taylor's or elsewhere in the 
well-settled neighborhood, horses in plenty for 
riding parties, picnics, excursions — everything in- 
deed for the happiness of the young warriors and 
their captivating maidens. Hard, brave work had 
earned the guerdon and it was no niggard hand that 
gave it. 

It was here I had to provide my remounts. My 
best had been lost in Pickett's charge and the other 
had broken down and was left. I was consequentl}^ 
up to buying two horses, and after many trials and 
tests selected from a certain commissary given to 
horse dealing, two beasts that I thought would do 
my work. They both broke down mider the 
demands of our Georgia and Tennessee expedition, 
and later I shall have something to say about the 
sharp officer who was so ready to put these animals 
on me. I have already said that I cannot call my- 
self successful in horse selection. These two cost 
about $2,500. 

Ah ! those were lovely days ; that short rest amid 
such delightful environments. We were soon to 
change it, plunge into the forests of Georgia and 
Tennessee, and fight in the former one of the fiercest, 
bloodiest battles on record. But meanwhile time 
went merrily and there was enjoyment throughout 
the army. The soldiers were in high spirits and 
ready any day for the enemy. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 185 

Supplies of clothing and shoes had come down 
from Richmond and the ranks looked decidedly 
better. 

Harrison, our scout, had been with us since 
Gettysburg. His report, all important as to the 
results of that campaign, was not forgotten. With 
no immediate duties assigned him, he trotted along 
from day to day, but he was sure of something to 
come, and it came. He asked permission to go to 
Richmond for a few days. As there was nothing 
to keep him, leave was given. 

^'Colonel," said this dark character, "if by any 
chance you should be in Richmond next week, I 
hope you will take in the theater one evening. 
(There was then not the slightest expectation of my 
being in Richmond at that time.) "What is the 
attraction?" I asked. "Myself," said Harrison. 
"I have made a bet of $50 greenbacks that I play 
Cassius and play him successfully." "Are you an 
actor?" I asked. "No, but I can play." The 
matter was dismissed as so much nonsense, but he 
was not a man for nonsense. It so happened that 
I was in Richmond the next week with Longstreet 
and the staff on the way to Georgia to strike our 
great strategic coup, and did happen into a friend's 
box at the theater. "Othello" was on the boards 
with all the splendor the times could muster, and 
my Harrison and "Cassius," one and the same, were 
before me. He had lied in part. His acting was 
as if he had regularly strutted the boards for a stock 
company. But the play was rather lively at times. 
"Othello" was in drink, "Cassius" was really quite 
far gone, and even "Desdemona" was under more 
than one suspicion that evening. 



186 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

The occurrence induced me next day to set on 
foot some minute inquiries about Harrison's life. 
I learned that he was drinking and gambling. On 
reporting it to General Longstreet he thought it 
better to let him go and so directed me ; accordingly 
I had him paid off, with an order to report to the 
Secretary of War, from whom he had originally 
come. 

This is the last I saw of the mysterious fellow. 
Longstreet missed him afterwards while we were in 
East Tennessee, and I made a careful effort to find 
him and bring him out to us. 

While writing I hear from Latrobe that the man 
is alive and in Baltimore, seeking some small assist- 
ance from the Confederate veterans. I should like 
to see his last days made comfortable. 

The organization of our First Army Corps had 
suffered no material damage. The ranks were kept 
fairly well filled by constant recruiting, and the feel- 
ing of confidence and pride of this splendid force of 
infantry and artillery could not be surpassed, from 
the Lieutenant-General down to the teamster. It 
was a very remarkable body, inspired by great sacri- 
fices and victories in its history, and with a cohesive 
strength and belief in itself that spoke nobly for the 
future. This is said on the eve of a separation of 
many months, by which the larger part of the corps 
was sent to strange fields and new sacrifices and 
laurels. 

There was, however, an ugly flaw in one of the 
divisions, that long uncured was eventually to lead 
to disaster. When Hood was borne wounded from 
the Gettysburg field his division of five brigades — 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 187 

Alabama, Texas, Georgia, and South Carolina— fell . 
under the command of the senior brigadier, Mui^J^ 
Jenkins, of South Carolina."A Between this officer 
and General E. M. Law, of Alabama, there was the 
most intense rivalry. They were both from South 
Carolina, and it was but a continuation, it was said, 
of what stirred them at school together, at college,' 
at military exercises, and finally in Longstreet's 
corps. ^ They had been made colonels about the 
same time — Law of an Alabama regiment— and had 
advanced almost contemporaneously to be brigadier- 
generals. Longstreet had recommended them both 
for promotion to major-general, and they were both 
unquestionably officers of high attainments and the 
greatest promise. Here we had a situation that 
made it useless to think of one of these men serving 
under the other in the same division. A major- 
general must be assigned to command, or else one 
of the aspiring brigadiers transferred to another 
place. Neither was immediately done and Long- 
street had considerable trouble. Both officers were 
highly valued by him and he wanted full justice 
done to each, but the situation grew no better with 
time and service, and Longstreet's efforts at the 
Department commanded apparently no attention. 



114.^. ^«->*^^ 






CHAPTER XXIV 

LONGSTREET TO REINFORCE BrAGG 

The movement to reinforce Bragg — Good work of the Quarter- 
master-General — General A. R, Lawton, of Georgia — The 
journey through the States— Ovations to the troops. 

The important movement now impending" was the 
subject of deep and secret discussion by the Presi- 
dent, Generals Lee and Longstreet, and General 
Lawton, Quartermaster-General, whose part in it 
would be of the first consideration. Its gravity can 
scarcely be overstated. 

Rosecrans, commanding the Federal forces in 
Tennessee and Georgia, had suffered himself to be 
in position inviting attack by a competent force. It 
was believed that Bragg, his opponent, if reinforced, 
could strike a swift, crushing blow, relieve the Vv^ide 
region in which he was operating from the presence 
of the enemy, and enable masterly reinforcements 
to return rapidly to Virginia without endangering 
the safety of the Confederate capital or that of Lee's 
army, thus temporarily weakened. 

Indeed it was the military calculation that so large 
a detachment from the Southern army would be in- 
stantly followed by a still greater withdrawal of 
troops from Lee's front, and that too by the outer 
line of the segment, while our own contingent was 
hurrying by the short, straight cord of the circle. 

This expectation proved correct. Meade was 
silent and inactive, and our own army was stiffen- 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 189 

ing in material and numbers. Meade was apparently 
without a plan. His predecessors had suffered so 
cruelly at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville that 
his well-known prudence and lack of initiative might 
be trusted to keep him quiet during our great stra- 
tegic coup. The movement was, therefore, deter- 
mined on, and in the first half of September the 
details were settled. Longstreet was to take on the 
expedition his two splendid divisions, McLaws and 
Hood, the latter -by this time quite cured of his 
wound, and Alexander's battalion of artillery — six 
batteries. Supply trains were to be furnished at 
destination. 

The movement was to be wholly by train, and to 
any one familiar with the railroad service at the 
South in the last part of 1863 little need be said 
of the difficulties facing the Quartermaster-General. 

He was to pick up their camps near Gordonsville 
and the Rapidan, nine strong divisions of infantry 
and six batteries of artillery, and land them without 
serious accident and no delay with their ambulances 
and light vehicles near Chattanooga or Lookout 
Mountain. This feat was accomplished without 
stint of honor or praise, be it said, to the Quarter- 
master-General's department. Never before were 
so many troops moved over such worn-out railways, 
none first-class from the beginning. Never before 
were such crazy cars — passenger, baggage, mail, coal, 
box, platform, all and every sort wabbling on the 
jumping strap-iron — used for hauling good soldiers. 
But we got there nevertheless. The trains started 
day after day from Virginia and worked through 
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia by 



190 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

different routes, all converging at a point not far 
east of Chattanooga — Catoosa Station, I think, was 
the name. 

The Quartermaster-General, Brig.-Gen. A. R. 
Lawton, was my fellow-townsman. He had gradu- 
ated from West Point in the class of '39 and entered 
the artillery. Soon resigning, he took up the study 
and practise of law, married, and resided in Savan- 
nah, where he achieved success. An admirable, well- 
rounded character, with many friends, Lawton was 
a leading man in municipal and State affairs for 
years. 

When the clash came in 1861 there was no doubt 
as to where he would stand. It was for his State, 
and he was immediately commissioned a brigadier- 
general, stationed on the coast assembling and or- 
ganizing troops. 

Called by General Lee to Virginia in 1862, he 
took a brigade of nearly 6,000 strong to Jackson in 
the Valley operations, and served with distinction in 
the Chickahominy battles, the campaign against 
Pope, and at Sharpsburg. 

At the latter he was severely wounded and retired 
from field service. He was, however, not long left 
in quiet ease. Lawton's abilities suggested him for 
administrative work, and he was made Quartermas- 
ter-General. It was by him and his department that 
our reinforcements were moved to the help of Bragg 
and the victory of Chickamauga — an admirable piece 
of railroad military transportation under adverse 
conditions. General Lawton was Minister to Aus- 
tria during Cleveland's Administration. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 191 

The journey through the States from Virginia 
was a continuous ovation to the troops. They were 
fed at every stopping place and must have hated the 
sight of food. Kisses and tokens of love and admi- 
ration for these war-worn heroes were ungrudgingly 
passed around, and as the two divisions were from 
States all south of Virginia, it was good for the 
men to show up in this fashion even for a few min- 
utes with their home people. 

Many of the companies were carried through 
their own towns and villages and surrounded by the 
eager faces of kinsfolk and neighbors. But there 
were no desertions or stops. The brave fellows 
pressed stoutly on with comrades to meet the foe. 

The first arrivals plunged into the battle of Sep- 
tember 19th, and on the 20th, when the final stroke 
was delivered, five of our brigades were up and 
hotly engaged in that bloody, all-day battle. The 
glory and renown of the Army of Northern Virginia 
w^ere fully upheld by Longstreet's men. Some gen- 
eral outlines of the day's events will be attempted 
in the next chapter, to be filled out at close, as 
hitherto tried, with brief reflections and observations 
on the occurrences of the great struggle and the days 
before and after it. 



CHAPTER XXV 
Battle of Chickamauga_, September 20, 1863. 

Arrival at Catoosa — Riding to General Bragg — The meeting 
— Order of battle — Polk the right wing, Longstreet the 
left — Attack to begin on right — Delayed some hours — 
Left wing takes it up victoriously — Attack on right checked 
— Thomas reinforces his right against Longstreet's assaults 
— Cannot stand and retreats toward Chattanooga — A great 
victory for the Confederates — Pursuit next day expected — 
Bragg says no — Army marches to positions in front of 
Chattanooga — A barren result — Lieutenant-General Polk 
—Sketch. 

It was about three o'clock in the afternoon of 
September 19 that our rickety train pulled up, with 
jerks and bangs, at the little railway landing, called 
Catoosa Platform. Longstreet and some of his 
personal staff, Colonels Sorrel and Manning, were 
in this train and immediately took horse. The 
remainder of the staff, with most of the horses, were 
on a train two or three hours later. The Lieutenant- 
General and part of his staff at once started to find 
General Bragg. 

That General should surely have had guides to 
meet and conduct us to the conference on which so 
much depended. A sharp action had taken place 
during the day and it would appear that if Bragg 
wanted to see anybody, Longstreet was the man. 
But we were left to shift for ourselves, and wan- 
dered by various roads and across small streams 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 193 

through the growing darkness of the Georgia forest 
in the direction of the Confederate General's bivouac. 
At one point in our hunt for him we narrowly 
escaped capture, being almost in the very center of 
a strong picket of the enemy before our danger was 
discovered. A sharp right-about gallop, unhurt by 
the pickets' hasty and surprised fire, soon put us in 
safety, and another road was taken for Bragg, 
about whom by this time some hard words were 
passing. 

But all things have an end, even a friendly hunt 
for an army commander, and between lo and ii 
o'clock that night we rode into the camp of Gen. 
Braxton Bragg. He was asleep in his ambulance, 
and when aroused immediately entered into private 
conference with Longstreet. It lasted about an 
hour, and in that time the plan of battle for next 
day was definitely settled, and then we all took to 
the leafy ground under the tall oaks and hickories 
for some sleep against the work before us. 

An hour was quite enough to settle the plan and 
details, since nothing could be simpler than the 
operation proposed for Rosecrans's destruction. 

Bragg's army was already occupying favorable 
ground and but little preliminary movement was 
positively necessary. The enemy's force was not 
far off in our immediate front, seemingly easy to 
attack. Bragg's army was, however, strange to 
say, rather deficient in artillery, and its want was 
felt the next day. Our own batteries, under Alex- 
ander, had not yet detrained. Bragg made a good 
disposition of his separate divisions and commands, 
dividing his army into two wings, the right under 



194 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Lieutenant-General Polk and the left under Lieu- 
tenant-General Longstreet. There was consequently 
thrown under the latter three of Hood's brigades 
and two of McLaws's (under Hood), and Stuart's 
and Preston's divisions (under Buckner), and a 
division of B. R. Johnson's, and Hindman's with 
artillery. The order for the day was simple in the 
extreme. 

There was no question about all the troops being 
in position by daylight, and at that hour the attack 
was to be opened by General Polk on the extreme 
right and followed up vigorously by the lines to the 
left, until the entire front of Bragg's fine army 
should be engaged and charging the enemy, exposed 
to an attack so furious it was not believed he could 
sustain it, and he could not. It will be shown how 
he was partially saved after the roughest handling 
he had had since Bull Run. The right wing was 
formed of Breckinridge's and Cleburne's divisions 
under D. H. Hill, Walker's and Biddell's divisions 
under Walker, and Cheatham's division, besides 
artillery. 

Longstreet's front had Wheeler's cavalry on his 
extreme left, then Hindman, Hood's corps, Stuart, 
and Preston in the order named, and they were 
ready for their work at daylight on the 20th, the 
other commands in close support. Unhappily, a 
most serious delay occurred on the right, by which 
Polk's attack was retarded until near 10 o'clock, a 
loss of at least four previous hours. Lieutenant- 
General Hill's command was on Polk's extreme 
right and should have begun the attack. Orders 
sent during the night by General Polk failed to 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 195 

reach him. On our part we waited with the utmost 
impatience for the guns, but no sound came until 
lo o'clock. Then Polk's attack was made, but does 
not appear to have achieved a decided success. The 
enemy were able to hold their ground against most 
of the right wing commands. 

When it came, as it quickly did, to the left wing 
to put in its work there was another tale. The 
ground was in parts difficult in front of us, but never 
was a more determined, dashing attack made, never 
a more stubborn resistance. But our men would 
not be denied. The fighting lasted nearly all day. 
Finally everything broke before us, and the enemy'3 
right was in full flight. It was a panic-stricken 
host that fled. Our Virginia contingent was always 
to the front and seemed to fire their western com- 
rades with emulation of the grand example of the 
Army of Northern Virginia. 

Unhappily, amid shouts of victory. General Hood 
was shot down at the head of his seasoned veterans. 
His leg was taken off on the field, the operation 
being well borne. But we were forced into a tem- 
porary halt. 

Reinforcements were pouring fresh and ready 
against our front. The attack of the right wing 
having partly broken down, the enemy in front of 
Polk was not held to their own, but were in large 
numbers free for a masterly movement by that fine n 

soldier. Gen. George Thomas. He was a Virginian, 2. ^ 
and it is said started to join his Southern friends ' 
at the beginning, but was finally won over to the 
Northern side. 



196 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

He was one of the ablest of their soldiers, perhaps 
none equaled him, and I heartily wish he had been 
SLtiywhQTt but at Chickamauga. Thomas pressed 
rapid columns to relieve his overwhelmed right and 
was in time to make a good stand, but it was un- 
availing, although costing more blood and time. 
His defenses were finally broken down, about dark, 
by our incessant hammering, and it was right-about- 
face and hasty retreat to Chattanooga. 

This was just as darkness spread its mantle over 
the fields and forests, and simultaneously there 
sprang up on that bloodstained battle-ground camp 
fires innumerable, and the wildest Confederate cheers 
and yells for victory that ever stirred the hearts of 
warriors — and such warriors as had that day borne 
the battle-flags forward. It was one of the greatest 
of the many Confederate successes. 

That night was passed in caring for the wounded, 
burying the dead, and cooking rations, for in all 
that host there was probably only one who did not 
believe that "pursuit" would be the word early next 
day, and that was the commander-in-chief. It is 
thought by some that General Bragg did not know 
a victory had been gained. He does not appear to 
have been closely present on the battlefield, nor for 
that matter was Rosecrans. A unique instance of 
a great battle being fought out of the immediate 
presence of the respective commanders. The next 
morning Bragg asked Longstreet for suggestions. 
"Move instantly against Rosecrans's rear to destroy 
him," was the instant reply. "Should we fail, we 
can put him in retreat, and then clear East Tennessee 
of Burnside and the Union forces." 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 197 

Apparently, Bragg adopted this view, and gave 
orders to march out at 4 P. M. The right wing 
marched about eight miles, ours next day at day- 
light. We were halted at the Chickamauga Red 
House Ford, I think it was, and then directed to 
march to Chattanooga. At the close of the battle 
we could have strolled into that town; now it was 
vigorously defended. This was the fruit of the 
great battle; the pitiable end of the glorious victory 
that was ours. The spoils were 8,000 prisoners, 36 
pieces of artillery, 15,000 small arms, and 25 stands 
of colors. 

It was a lasting regret that I had no more than 
a passing glimpse during these operations of the 
distinguished soldier, Lieut.-Gen. Leonidas Polk, 
second in command of Bragg' s army. 

A pure and lofty character, nothing but the most 
self-sacrificing, patriotic convictions, and the almost 
peremptory wishes of the Executive had led him to 
lay down his great Episcopal station and duties and 
take to arms. His training at West Point had well 
prepared him for the stern efforts in the field await- 
ing Southern men. Throughout his army career he 
was never without a desire to put by his sword and 
take up again his dearly loved people, his Bishop's 
staff, for prayer and strength and consolation in 
their many trials and sufferings. But the President, 
holding him in the highest esteem and confidence, 
insisted on retaining him in the armies of the Con- 
federacy. He could not but yield. Of command- 
ing presence and most winning address, he served 
with distinction and renown. While suffering at 
the hands of Bragg treatment unjust and harsh, he 



198 RECOLLECTIONS OP A 

on the other hand had won to himself the abiding 
affection and confidence of all officers and men 
whom he commanded. 

On June i, 1864, near Marietta, Georgia, that 
noble life ended. In the distance lay the hills of 
the Etowah ; on the right, Kenesaw reared its lofty 
heights. The Generals — ^Johnston, Hardee, and 
Polk — had together walked off to observe a portion 
of the enemy's lines, some distance away. Soon 
after they slowly separated. 

Dr. W. M. Polk, the General's son, eminent in 
his profession, and author of his interesting 
biography, simply relates what then happened (Vol. 
II, p. 349) : 

General Polk walked to the crest of the hill, and, entirely 
exposed, turned himself around as if to take a farewell view. 
Folding his arms across his breast, he stood intently gazing on 
the scene below. While thus he stood, a cannon shot crashed 
his breast, and opening a wide door, let free that indomitable 
spirit. He fell upon his back with his feet to the foe. Amid 
the shot and shell now poured upon the hill, his faithful 
escort gathered up the body and bore it to the foot of the hill. 
There in a sheltered ravine his sorrow-stricken comrades, 
silent and in tears, gathered around his mangled corpse. 



CHAPTER XXVI 

Chattanooga — Incidents 

The Western army — Its general appearance — Feeling toward 
Bragg — President Davis's visit — An incident in battle — 
General W. W. Mackall, chief of Bragg's staff — Losses — 
A captured saber — General Forrest — General Benning 
and Longstreet — Vizitelly's battle-picture — Quartermaster 
Mitchell dead — Manning wounded — President Davis's 
escort — The Austrian captain's brilliant uniform. 

We were therefore marched back to what was 
called the siege of Chattanooga, finding the enemy 
there in fine spirits after the indulgent reprieve 
granted him; strengthening his works, perfecting 
his communications with the rear, and pouring in 
men from the East, who, following our own move- 
ments, were necessarily late in arriving by the outer 
line. Bragg put his army in position across Mission- 
ary Creek (subject to perilous overflow) and occu- 
pied Lookout Mountain with his left and Missionary 
Ridge with his right, and here I shall leave the army 
while jotting down some observations and incidents 
since we left Virginia. 

The personal appearance of Bragg's army was, of 
course, matter of interest to us of Virginia. The 
men were a fine-looking lot, strong, lean, long-limbed 
fighters. The Western tunic was much worn by 
both officers and men. It is an excellent garment, 
and its use could be extended with much advantage. 

The army gave one the feeling of a very loose 
organization. There were indeed corps, so called, 



200 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

but not that compact, shoulder-to-shoulder make-up 
of Lee's army. There a First Corps man would so 
speak of himself, just as a Third Georgia Regiment 
man would speak of the regiment to which he be- 
longed. The artillery, which seemed to me not as 
strong as should be, looked a bit primitive. The bat- 
talion unit was not often met with ; but, on the con- 
trary, many single independent batteries, nominally 
attached to infantry commands, but on the day of 
the battle wandering loose, hunting for their sup- 
ports. The subsistence and quartermaster's depart- 
ments were well supplied with food and forage, but 
weak in transportation. 

The tone of the army among its higher officers to- 
ward the commander was the worst conceivable. 
Bragg was the subject of hatred and contempt, and 
it was almost openly so expressed. His great officers 
gave him no confidence as a general-in-chief. The 
army was thus left a helpless machine, and its great 
disaster in November at Missionary Ridge and 
Lookout Mountain could easily be foreseen with 
Bragg retained in command. 

Mr. Davis made his celebrated visit to the camp 
to see and hear for himself. It is difficult, even now, 
to recall and realize that unprecedented scene. The 
President, with the commander-in-chief, and the 
great officers of the army, assembled to hear the 
opinion of the General's fitness for command. In 
the presence of Bragg and his corps commander he 
asked of each his opinion, and his reasons if adverse. 
This was eye to eye with the President, the com- 
mander-in-chief, and the generals. There was no 
lack of candor in answer to such challenge with men 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 201 

like Longstreet, Cheatham, Hill, Cleburne, and 
Stewart. Some very plain language was used in 
answer, but it seems that one and all were quite 
agreed as to Bragg' s unfitness for command of that 
army. These opinions were received by the Presi- 
dent and his general without comment, and Mr. 
Davis got more than he came for. 

An incident of the day of battle will indicate 
some differences between the Eastern and Western 
armies in the reception of orders. While Thomas was 
heavily reinforcing his right, a column of fours 
was seen marching across Gen. A. P. Stewart's 
front. If attacked, its destruction was certain. I 
pointed out the opportunity to General Stewart, his 
position being admirable for the purpose. His an- 
swer was that he was there by orders and could not 
move until he got others. I explained that I was 
chief of staff to Longstreet and felt myself compe- 
tent to give such an order as coming from my chief, 
and that this was customary in our Virginia ser- 
vice. General Stewart, however, courteously in- 
sisted that he could not accept them unless assured 
the orders came direct from Longstreet. Valuable 
time was being lost, but I determined to have a 
whack at those quick-moving blue masses. Asking 
General Stewart to get ready, that I hoped soon to 
find Longstreet, I was off, and luckily did find him 
after an eager chase. Longstreet's thunderous tones 
need not be described when, in the first words of 
explanation, he sent me back with orders to Stewart 
to fall on the reinforcing column with all his power. 
Stewart was ready and pushed forward handsomely. 
In a few minutes, with little or no loss to himself, 



202 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

he had broken up Thomas's men and taken many- 
prisoners. This was quite late in the afternoon, 
twilight coming on. 

My brother-in-law, General W. W. Mackall, was 
serving with Bragg as chief of staff, although his 
rank and attainments qualified him for higher duties. 
But the Executive at Richmond was not favorably 
disposed toward him, and the best that could be 
had for service must content him. It seems that he 
and Bragg had been long friends, having served to- 
gether in the old Army. I was glad to come up 
with him, and delighted his soul by a gift of a five- 
pound bale of Virginia Killikinick smoking tobacco, 
in place of the vile stuff he was blowing off. 

The numbers on both sides, and the casualties, 
are generally accepted as follows: Rosecrans's 
strength, 60,867; Bragg's strength, 60,366. Rose- 
crans's losses, 16,550; Bragg's losses, 17,800. 

It was during the battle that I became the pos- 
sessor of a handsomely mounted saber. In a part 
of the field near us there was a sudden sharp, deadly 
scrimmage between some of our mounted men and 
the enemy, a small force on each side. It was soon 
over, and Hardy, one of my couriers, a stout, ready 
Georgian, came to me with a beautiful saber, evi- 
dently a presentation to the lieutenant-colonel whose 
name was engraved on it. My fellow made me a 
gift of the handsome blade, and I wore it until 
peace came. What became of the lieutenant-colonel 
I could never ascertain. 



'His sword it is rust, 

His bones they are dust, 

His soul is with the Saints I trust.' 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 203 

The good sword was treasured until a few years 
ago, when the ladies of the Confederate Museum at 
Richmond asked me to put it among their collection, 
and there it hangs to-day, I hope for many years. 

It was on the 20th that I had my look at the 
celebrated Forrest. Truly a most powerful, impres- 
sive figure of a great cavalryman. He was yet to 
become still greater, as one of the first commanders 
of the South, and subsequent studies of his life 
and career only expand this admiration into deeper 
feelings for the great soldier. 

Dr. John Wyeth's interesting biography of For- 
rest, published only in the past few years, is most 
fascinating, and has gone far to place him as one 
of the greatest leaders of the Civil War. During 
the battle a queer scene between Longstreet and the 
valiant old brigadier, Benning, commanding one of 
Hood's brigades, illustrates Longstreet's grim calm 
in action, and the excitability of "Old Rock," as his 
men called him. A sudden counter-stroke of the 
enemy had smashed his brigade and they were badly 
scattered. Benning thought that they were "all 
gone." Seizing an artillery horse that was gallop- 
ing by, harness flying, he threw himself on the terri- 
fied animal and found Longstreet. "General," said 
the brigadier, "I am ruined; my brigade was sud- 
denly attacked and every man killed ; not one is to be 
found. Please give orders where I can do some 
fighting." Longstreet saw the excitement and 
quickly cooled it. "Nonsense, General, you are not 
so badly hurt. Lovk about you. I know you will 
find at least one man, and with him on his feet report 
your brigade to me, afid you two shall have a place 
in the fighting-!ine." 



204 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Benning saw it, took the hint, hunted up his men, 
who were not so badly mauled after all, and with a 
respectable body was soon ready for work. 

Vizitelly, the English artist, had started from 
Richmond with us, to sketch and draw for the cam- 
paign; something stopped him on the way, drink, 
probably. At all events, he arrived very sheep- 
faced, long after the battle. He took me aside with : 
"Colonel, I am in an awful mess. I must send draw- 
ings and a picture of this great battle to my paper 
somehow. Cannot you help me?" We were at the 
time not very far from a little field that had a scene 
during the fighting which struck me, even then, as 
somewhat picturesque. The open field crowned with 
thick woods at one side, through which frowned half 
a dozen Federal guns and a brigade of ours moving 
up in beautiful order to capture it. I said as much 
as this to Vizitelly, and sent him to look at the 
spot. He returned, on fire with his artist's fancies, 
and shut himself up for several days. Then he 
emerged with drawings, and much letter-press of 
what he had actually seen; and principally a very 
large drawing beautifully finished of the so-called 
"Little scene," But heavens! all resemblance had 
ceased. Instead of the slight affair, three solid lines 
of infantry were moving across a great stretch of 
ground against hundreds of guns that were devas- 
tating our troops in fire and smoke. In the central 
portion there was the wounding and fall of a great 
officer and the closing in of the soldiers to protect 
him. "What think you?" said the proud Vizitelly. 
"Splendid, but nothing like it took place." "No 
matter, it might have happened, and besides all 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 205 

battle-pictures are drawn with such freedom/' 
"Who is the general just falling?" "That, sir, is 
General Hood, drawn the instant of being shot/' 
"But, my good Vizitelly, Hood was not within a 
mile of that little field I gave you." "No matter, 
he was shot, no one will deny that ; and I must have 
a great interesting center for my picture. You fel- 
lows are altogether too particular. This goes by 
first underground chance, and you will see it in the 
London Illustrated News" And so I did in the 
quiet sitting-room of a Northern friend later on. 

He is not the only one of artistic imagination for 
battle-pictures. 

At Chicakamauga we lost our quartermaster, 
Major Mitchell, of Virginia, a valuable officer. A 
sudden attack of diphtheria carried him off like a 
stroke of lightning. Major Erasmus Taylor, of 
Orange Court House, Virginia, was immediately 
appointed in his place, and served with us efficiently 
until the close of the war. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Manning, of our staff, was 
slightly wounded in the battle of the 20th. A frag- 
ment of shell pierced his scalp, causing much loss 
of blood, but otherwise no great damage. He was 
soon about his ordnance duties as good as ever. 

When President Davis came to Bragg's army on 
his visit of conciliation and support to his general, 
there was a universal turnout to give the Executive 
our best reception. At all headquarters the least 
shabby uniforms were looked up and our best be- 
longings for horse and man were brought out. Mr. 
Davis had a really fine escort to the top of Lookout 
Mountain and back to quarters. At First Corps 



206 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

headquarters we still had the pleasure of Captain 
Fitzgerald Ross with us, a companionable and hon- 
orable officer and gentleman. On this occasion we 
thought it time for Ross to show the quality of his 
Austrian corps, and most reluctantly he consented to 
ride with us in full uniform. It was a beauty and a 
wonder! Sky-blue tunic and trousers, fitting skin- 
tight to the body and legs, loaded down with the 
richest gold braid and ornaments. Tiny boots, tas- 
seled and varnished, incased the Captain's shapely 
Hussar legs. And then the pelisse hanging from 
the left shoulder! — it would be the envy of any 
woman. The color, still sky-blue, of the finest cloth, 
lined with buff satin, gold braided and richly furred. 
A smart, richly plumed Hungarian busby, with 
handsomely mounted curved saber and gold cords, 
completed the costume of this brilliant representa- 
tive of his corps d'elite. 

We gave Ross our plaudits and thanks for his fine 
appearance, and only on returning was there any 
annoyance. The large cortege about the President 
parted and some of us found ourselves riding with 
Ross under Maj.-Gen. John C. Breckinridge. Our 
route lay through one of his divisions camped in the 
noble primeval forests. The men were scattered all 
about attending to their personal matters, cooking, 
cleaning arms, mending, and, as it seemed, many 
stripped to the waist examining very closely their 
shirts and undergarments. 

Without going into particulars, all soldiers in the 
field must be careful in this respect. Long-worn 
clothing had a way of "gathering" things, and it 
was what had to be done in all our armies. But 



I 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 207 

when the scattered troops saw the brilliant apparition 
of Captain Ross riding with their General there was 
a shout and a rush to him. Such was the rough 
admiration exhibited that harm might have come to 
him but for Breckinridge. He motioned the men 
back, said the Captain was his guest, and, "When 
you fellows get to his army on a visit you will find 
him treating you more civilly; so get back to your 
bivouacs and make yourselves clean." 

There was a good-natured cheer for Breckinridge, 
Ross, the President, and all the rest of us, and we 
got back to camp with much cheerful chaff for poor 
Ross and his gay uniform. 



CHAPTER XXVII 

The East Tennessee Campaign, November 
1863, TO April, il 



Ordered by Bragg to move against Burnside and Knoxville — 
Our two divisions — Wheeler's cavalry with artillery — 
Burnside's strength — At Sweetwater, November 21st — 
Disappointed in supplies — The railway — Pontoons, but no 
train — Cross Holston at Loudon — Enemy escapes into 
Knoxville — Hood's old division —Generals Jenkins and Law 
— Siege of Knoxville — Bull Winthrop — McLaws ready 
for an assault — Troops ordered to support — General Lead- 
better, of Bragg's staff, orders assault — Brigadiers Wof- 
ford, Humphreys, and Bryan attacked — Repulsed at Fort 
Saunders — General Longstreet assumes the blame — Losses. 

After a long wait, General Bragg settled on some- 
thing. He decided to make a move against Burn- 
side and Knoxville. About November 3, Long- 
street received his instructions. They were about 
in line with what the Lieutenant-General wanted 
instantly after Chickamauga and what should have 
been done, but the General-in-Chief could not see 
it, and, welcoming the orders even at this late 
day, we prepared for a hearty support and active 
campaign. 

The troops of the expedition were to be the two 
divisions (nine brigades of infantry) brought from 
Virginia and Alexander's fine battalion of artillery, 
six batteries ; also Leyden's artillery, and Wheeler's 
powerful body of cavalry (four brigades) and horse 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 209 

artillery. We were also to take up all the loose 
bodies of troops to be found in the wide district to 
be covered. A force of about 3,000 men was prom- 
ised from southwest Virginia. 

It was an ill-disciplined body, not well organized, 
but accomplished wonders under Wheeler as a screen 
to the army, and an unceasing menace to the enemy's 
communications. He had some able officers with 
him, Generals W. J. Martin, John T. Morgan, G. G. 
Dibbrell, and Thomas Harrison. When Wheeler 
left us with instructions for a movement calling for 
some night work his cheerful words to his fellows 
were: "Come, boys, mount. The War Child rides 
to-night." That being, it seems, one of his pet 
names among the men. 

Major-General Wheeler was not long with us, 
Bragg, to whom his services were invaluable, having 
sent for him. I saw him I think but once. He 
had reported to Longstreet for orders and was 
followed by a rather numerous staff and escort. A 
small, slight man, very quick and alert in his move- 
ments, quite young, only recently from West Point, 
he had justly earned great distinction as the cavalry 
leader of our Western army. 

Burnside's force south of Knoxville was com- 
puted at about 15,000, and if we could get all the 
troops Bragg held out to our commander, there 
would be enough of us to crush Burnside. But the 
Federal general had within reach some five thousand 
more men than General Bragg estimated. 

The expedition, glad to be on the move, set out 
smartly for Tyner's Station, where it was to be 
entrained for Sweetwater, but things went decidedly 



210 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

wrong. We had brought no transportation from 
Virginia and General Bragg's officers suppHed us 
with wagons and teams, but held themselves under 
Bragg's order. A most inconvenient disposition 
then, and until we parted company with that com- 
mander for good. 

With these and other difficulties it was November 
1 2th before the last of our brigades came to Sweet- 
water. Here there were more disappointments as 
to rations, supplies, and transportation. We were 
dependent on Bragg's provisions, which cruelly 
failed us. Not to dwell too long on these mishaps, 
I need only add that they beset the entire campaign. 

The cars and railway by which we helped the 
transportation were almost comical in their ineffi- 
ciency. The railroad was of heavy grades and the 
engines light-powered. When a hill was reached 
the long train would be instantly emptied — plat- 
forms, roofs, doors, and windows — of our fellows, 
like ants out of a hill, who would ease things by 
trudging up the dirt road and catching on again at 
the top; and so it went on as far as the railroad 
would serve us. 

A bridge train had been prepared by the engineers, 
and it had been our intention to use it across the 
Little Tennessee, or Halston, above its confluence 
and through Marysville. But here again was dis- 
appointment; there were pontoons but no train for 
hauling. 

We were thus forced to throw our bridge across 
at Loudon, where, fortunately, the boats could be 
floated direct from cars without need of wagons, 
and there that curious bridge was laid by our worthy 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 211 

It was a sight to remember. The cur- 
rent was strong, the anchorage insufficient, the boats 
and indeed entire outfit quite primitive, and when 
lashed finally to both banks it might be imagined a 
bridge; but a huge letter "S" in effect it was with 
its graceful reverse curves. But no man should 
abuse the bridge by which he safely crosses, and 
this one took us over, using care and caution. I 
shall always love the looks of that queer bridge. 

The enemy was well advised as to our movements,, 
and evidently conducted his retreat with skill and no 
serious losses. At Lenoir's Station he was forced 
to leave nearly a hundred loaded wagons, though 
the running-gear had been broken up so as to make 
them of no immediate use to us. 

I do not give in detail the various movements of 
our advance from one point to another, their char- 
acter generally not being of the highest credit to us 
in rapidity or co-operation of our several commands. 

A fine opportunity of crushing Burnside was lost 
at Campbell's Station. Burnside's retreat was in 
time to cover the roads leading into it, and there he 
had to make a stand. We should have beaten him 
badly, but he escaped and was soon safe in Knox- 
ville. The roads were deep in mud and caused hard 
travel and labor, but they were no better for the 
Union force. 

Campbell's Station cannot be- termed a serious 
battle. It was principally an artillery fight, in which 
the gallant Alexander was tormented by defective 
ammunition. It should have been a strong and 
decisive battle, but things went wrong with the 
infantry divisions and an effective co-operation was 



212 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

not secured. Ah! would that we could have had 
Hood again at the head of his division. 

As it was, the five brigades of this fine command 
were practically paralyzed by the differences between 
the senior brigadier in command, Jenkins, and his 
competitor, General E. M. Law. It was a most 
unhappy condition of things, but by no fault of 
Longstreet. When Mr. Davis visited us at Chicka- 
mauga the Lieutenant-General laid the situation 
before him and urged the promotion and appoint- 
ment of Jenkins, to which Mr. Davis would not 
listen. He was asked then to appoint Law, but this 
also met the Executive's "No," that officer being 
junior; and then Longstreet begged the assignment 
of any good major-general to be found elsewhere. 
But none came then; months after one was sent 
when irretrievable mischief had been done by the 
unfortunate condition of the division. It lasted 
during all the subsequent operations in East 
Tennessee throughout the winter. 

Thus it came about that the enemy eluded us at 
Campbell's Station, and the next day was behind his 
works at Knoxville, except his cavalry, which lin- 
gered to retard our march. Our army followed 
closely, at once put the enemy's works under fire, and 
so began what is called the "Siege of Knoxville." 

By many it is thought to have been a serious error 
on the part of the Confederate commander, the 
resorting to so slow a process. "He should have 
attacked immediately;" and I am disposed to con- 
sider intelligent statements of Union officers and 
citizens of Knoxville, long after, as indicating that 
an energetic movement, without the slightest delay, 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 213 

would have carried us into the town and brought 
Burnside to terms. 

On the 1 8th of November McLaws advanced 
against some defenses of skirmishers, but part of 
his Hne halted before reaching the crest of the hill. 
Captain Winthrop, an Englishman serving with 
Alexander, dashed forward, and encouraging the 
men got through the hill in handsome style. It was 
well done by ''Bull" Winthrop, as we called him, 
and he picked up a nasty wound in the doing of it. 

Burnside's strongest defense was Fort Loudon, 
later called Fort Saunders, for the gallant officer of 
that name who fell in its defense. It was a strong 
earthwork, closely under McLaws's eye, who was 
expected to capture it. Of course he had done much 
work toward it — ditches, parallels, and many devices 
for success. A night attack was proposed and at 
one time favored. 

On the 226. General McLaws thought the time 
had come and he was ordered to prepare his assault- 
ing column, supported by the division. Longstreet 
also ordered up other troops for support and follow- 
ing up a success. Later on McLaws reported that 
his officers preferred daylight for the work before 
them and the movement was for the time deferred. 
On the 23d we heard that Bragg had been attacked 
at Chattanooga. Bushrod Johnson's division of 
two brigades was at Loudon moving to us, and our 
strength then would be eleven brigades of infantry, 
Wheeler's cavalry of four brigades (Wheeler him- 
self had been ordered back by Bragg, leaving the 
horse under command of Maj.-Gen. Will T. Martin), 
Alexander's artillery, and Leyden's battalion. 



214 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

On the 25th, Bragg' s chief engineer, General 
Leadbetter, brought orders from the former to attack 
immediately. Longstreet was reluctant. Troops 
from Virginia were on the march, due with us in 
eight or ten days, and with them the investment 
could be made complete. The enemy was also said 
to be on half rations, and an attack now with chances 
of our repulse would be all in his favor. But Lead- 
better felt that Bragg's orders were imperative and 
the assault must be attempted. Minute orders were 
then sent to McLaws for the effort. The details are 
rather lengthy for the scope of these recollections. 
It was intended for the 28th, but because of bad 
weather put off until the 29th. At the appointed 
time the vigorous assault was made in fine form by 
the brigades of Wofford, Humphreys, and Bryan in 
the early gray of the morning. At first we seemed 
to be going right ahead, shoving everything aside, 
but some stops were made and the wounded men 
began coming back. 

General Longstreet says that when Major Goggin, 
an old Army man on McLaws's staff, reported to 
him that it would be useless to persevere, that the 
fort was so surrounded with net-works of wire that 
no progress could be made without axes and not an 
axe was to be found — ^'Without a second thought, 
I ordered the recall.*' He says later that the 
accounts of General Poe, the engineer in charge of 
the works, convinced him that the few wires met 
with were far from being the serious obstacle 
reported and that we could have gone in without 
axes. It also seemed sure that the fort was nearly 
ours by the retirement of part of its garrison, only 
some two hundred men being kept with the guns. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 215 

General Longstreet takes upon himself the failure 
of the assault. It seems conclusive to him that it 
was due to the order for recall. He had long 
known Goggin. Some of our men pushed into the 
fort. One gallant young officer, Adjutant Gum- 
ming, from Augusta, Georgia, leaped through an 
embrasure and instantly demanded the surrender of 
fort and garrison. The Union troops cheered the 
feat while making him a prisoner of war. Almost 
immediately after the repulse General Longstreet 
received a telegram from the President to the effect 
that "Bragg had been forced back by numbers and 
that we were to co-operate with his army." A 
euphemism on the part of the President — Bragg had 
suffered a severe defeat and was in full retreat. He 
made for Dalton, which put out of the question any 
co-operation by us. Our own safety was to be 
considered and how it could be accomplished. 

The casualties at Knoxville are thus given: 
Confederate loss in assault, 822; Union loss in 
assault, 673; Confederate loss in campaign, 1,296; 
Union loss in campaign, 1,481. 



CHAPTER XXVIII 
The East Tennessee Campaign, Continued 

In front of Knoxville after repulse — Position serious — Bragg 
defeated at Missionary Ridge — Reinforcements pressing to 
Burnside — We withdraw to the eastward — Halt at Rogers- 
ville— Foraging good — Supplies in valleys sufficient — We 
decide to winter there — Occasional operations without 
importance — Affair at Bean's Station — Much uneasiness at 
Washington at Longstreet's presence in East Tennessee- 
General Grant ordered to drive him out — Affair at Dand- 
ridge — Great want of shoes — A supply from Quartermaster 
General — General McLaws relieved from duty — The cor- 
respondence — General McLaws's resignation — Intense 
cold — Roads almost impassable — Inhabitants of the valleys 
and mountaineers — The fierce old woman — Mountain fast- 
nesses — Deserters from a North Carolina regiment — 
Their capture and execution — General Schofield in com- 
mand of Union army — We take position and make camps 
near Bull's Gap. 

Our position was now becoming serious. Some 
additional troops under Ransom would soon join us, 
but the enemy was being heavily reinforced. Grant 
had decided to drive us out of East Tennessee. A 
letter from him to Burnside by courier was cap- 
tured, advising him of three columns en route for 
his relief — one on south side by General Sherman, 
one by Dechared under General Elliott, and one 
by Cumberland Gap under General Foster. Long- 
street decided to march past Knoxville on the north 
side of the river and aim for the column reported 
coming from Cumberland Gap. The enemy did not 
see fit to molest our flank as we marched past his 
defenses on the 2d of December. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 217 

There was good foraging in the country, and we 
halted at Rogersville on the 9th to accumulate sup- 
plies. Up to this date it had not been our General's 
intention to stay in the Tennessee Valley. He was 
looking eastward, but more hopefully toward some 
combinations and increase of force by which a pow- 
erful demonstration could be made into Kentucky 
through Cumberland Gap. But at Rogersville the 
foraging officers brought in roseate reports of plenty 
in the land. It appeared to be overflowing with 
subsistence for an army; cattle, swine, corn, sor- 
ghum, and honey were abundant, and it was decided 
we should winter in these beautiful valleys, watered 
by the Holston, the French Broad, the mouth of 
Chucky and Nolachucky. Truly was it a fertile 
and smiling land to be still showing all this abun- 
dance, ravaged and harried as it had been alter- 
nately by Union and Confederate forces, and with 
such a population ! It could well be said that "Only 
man was vile." 

General Longstreet in his book, "Manassas to 
Appomattox," has written up his movements from 
the time he left Bragg to that of leaving Tennessee, 
at great length and with extreme particularity. Its 
recital had apparently occupied him more than any 
part of the four years' war. We may therefore well 
leave these details; they are correctly stated, al- 
though without the interest of a successful cam- 
paign. We turn therefore to matters more general, 
but perhaps attractive, of our doings in that country. 

There was occasional skirmishing and outpost 
fighting, but nothing of importance. At the affair 
of Bean's Station we expected to accomplish some- 



218 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

thing, but little came of it. Gradually a good force 
had been assembled at scattered points under Long- 
street's orders, and he was most confident and eager 
for an opportunity to deal the enemy a blow. Presi- 
dent Davis, on December loth, gave him discretion- 
ary authority over all the troops in the department, 
and on this he held, for the present, Martin's cavalry 
by him, that Bragg had called for. It was positively 
necessary for holding East Tennessee, which seemed 
the best possible use to make of the troops while 
Bragg's army was in a state of demoralization and 
uncertainty. 

Indeed, in the published annals there is appearance 
of intense uneasiness by Halleck and Mr. Lincoln 
as to Longstreet's presence in Tennessee. The em- 
phatic tone of many letters and orders from the 
Federal capital was that we should, under any cir- 
cumstances and apparently at any sacrifices, be driven 
out. Our presence there took the form of a political 
peril. As long as we had a good foothold and a 
good army in reach of Cumberland Gap there was 
the chance of a successful movement into Kentucky, 
and once there that State would have been in an 
unpleasant and dangerous attitude to the Federals. 
Its Confederate sentiments were in parts still strong 
and shared by large numbers of the population. 
Longstreet's correspondence always took a squint at 
such an eventuality, and nothing would have better 
pleased him than to lead such a movement. But the 
winter coming on sharp, we found camps in the 
great forest about Morristown before Christmas and 
began collection of food supplies in earnest. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 219 

The men were happy and cheerful, but awfully in 
want of clothing and shoes. Some of the latter 
were made by themselves, but this supply could not 
go far. I recall a movement against General 
Granger at Dandridge when the corps turned out 
to march. It was bitter winter weather, the ground 
hard and sharp with ice, and not less than 2,000 of 
our little army were without shoes. Their bleeding 
feet left marks at every step. 

They were useless for the work and quickly sent 
back to camp. Not long after, however, all were 
made happy by a shipment of three thousand pairs 
of shoes by General Lawton, our Quartermaster- 
General. He had listened to our earnest, almost 
desperate appeals. 

About the middle of December, Major-General 
McLaws was relieved from command of his division 
by Lieutenant-General Longstreet and ordered to 
Augusta, Georgia. Part of the correspondence con- 
cerning this matter will be found in the Appendix, 
sufficiently explanatory. The commanding General 
had for some time been dissatisfied with his second 
in command. Later on, at Greenville, McLaws had 
the court of inquiry for which he at once applied. 
The charges were three in number, principally alleg- 
ing neglect and want of preparation at Knoxville, 
supported each by one specification. The court ab- 
solved McLaws from all fault, but found him guilty 
on one of the specifications. The proceedings went 
to the President, who immediately disapproved 
them, restored McLaws to duty, and assigned him 
to a command in Georgia. 



220 



RECOLLECTIONS OF A 



General E. M. Law handed in his resignation and 
asked leave of absence on it — this about December 
20th. It was cheerfully granted, and then General 
Law asked the privilege of taking the resignation 
himself to Richmond. It was unusual, but was 
allowed. From this afterwards grew serious com- 
plications, involving Law's arrest by Longstreet, 
his support by the Executive, and Longstreet' s threat 
of resignation from the army, in which he was 
upheld by General Lee. And the Lieutenant-General 
had his way. Law was not again in Longstreet's 
command. 

The cold was intense, the record showing the 
lowest temperature for many years. During the 
last days of 1863 the glass went down to zero and 
the entire army was quiet in the effort to keep warm. 

Fortunately there was fuel in abundance. The 
primeval forests of oak and hickory were food 
for some of the grandest campfires ever seen, but we 
froze in front while scorching in back, and vice 
versa. And as to sleeping, many a fine fellow woke 
to find his shoes crisp from the too generous blaze. 
At this time the roads were so bad as to be almost 
impassable; artillery and wagons would be drawn 
hub deep. The artillery horses, Leyden's especially, 
were in bad condition, very weak, and six or eight 
pairs would be hitched to a single gun or caisson. 
It amused the infantry footing it on the side paths, 
and they would call out, "Here comes the cavalry, 
but what's that gun tied to the tail for?" 

The people of these valleys made an interesting 
study. They doubtless went through much dur- 
ing the Civil War, and part of their disposition at 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 221 

the period of our occupation may be accounted for. 
There were, of course, some exceptions to be found 
in families of wealth, intelligence, and breeding, but 
the general run of people was hard in the extreme. 
Apparently they were without pity or compassion — 
generosity and sympathy were strangers to them; 
but hatred and revenge made their homes in the 
breasts of these farmers. 

When the Confederates came on the ground, then 
was the time for acts of brutality against their Union 
neighbors, the political feeling in the valleys being 
about equally divided. Burnings, hangings, whip- 
pings were common — all acts of private vengeance 
and retaliation. When the turn came and the Un- 
ionists were in authority. Confederate sympathizers 
were made to suffer in the same way, and so it went 
on throughout the bloody strife. 

Once an old woman came to my quarters with a 
request. She was a fierce, hard creature, strong, of 
wrinkled skin, but set, relentless features, clothed in 
the homespun worn by all, and like all, dipping snuff. 
Stick in mouth she made her statement. Some men 
had come to her house that morning — she knew 
them name by name. They had taken her old man 
from her and hung him to a tree by his own porch, 
and there left him — dead. She wanted the mur- 
derers caught and punished. Not a word of sorrow 
or softness, not a tear of regret, but only vengeance, 
and that instantly. I immediately sent a good troop 
of cavalry to seize the men, if to be found, but little 
hoped it. They had, as usual, taken refuge in the 
mountains, quite inaccessible to ordinary attack, and 
were safe there with numbers of others. 



222 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

These mountain fastnesses were filled with evil- 
doers of both sides, Union and Confederate; mur- 
derers, thieves, deserters — all crimes could there be 
known. 

The authorities had found it quite impossible to 
break up these formidable gangs by any ordinary 
force. A special expedition for the express purpose 
would be necessary. 

It was to these mountains that a large body of 
deserters from a North Carolina regiment in Vir- 
ginia was making a little time back. 

A whole company had broken away, but were 
overtaken at a crossing of the James above Rich- 
mond. They showed fight and killed several of 
the pursuers, but were taken back and the leaders 
tried by court martial. Ten were convicted and 
sentenced to be shot. There had been too much 
leniency, and General Lee had the sentence executed. 
The unfortunates were tied to small sunken crosses in 
line about ten feet apart, with a firing party in front 
of each. Their division, Major-General Edward 
Johnson's, was drawn up in three sides of a hollow 
square, the deserters being on the fourth. At the 
word the firing was accurately executed and the men 
sank dead or dying at their stakes. The division 
was then marched by, close to their bodies, and it was 
hoped the lesson would be salutary. 

General Grant made a visit to Knoxville about 
January ist. General Foster in command. Before 
leaving he ordered Foster to expel us from Tennes- 
see, if not altogether, at least beyond Bull's Gap and 
Red Bridge. Washington was still uneasy and 
pressing him hard to put us out of the way. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 223 

Preparing for it, he ordered the Ninth and the 
Twenty-third Corps to Mossy Creek, Fourth Corps 
to Strawberry Plain and the cavalry to Dandridge — 
a formidable force. That army moved about Janu- 
ary 15th. Dandridge is on the French Broad River, 
about thirty miles from Knoxville, and was the 
enemy's objective. 

General Foster was invalided, and Sheridan for a 
short time took command until relieved by the corps 
commander, Gordon Granger. A smart affair en- 
sued. General Martin's cavalry doing our principal 
work. Granger retired and Longstreet rode into 
Dandridge and was soon in the house occupied by 
his old friend Granger. Pursuit was made imprac- 
ticable by the condition of roads and want of a 
bridge train. Practically nothing was accomplished 
on this trial, and our troops as well as the enemy 
were sent back to camps. 

On February 9th General Schofield took com- 
mand at Knoxville of the Union army in East Ten- 
nessee. The pressure on him continued from Hal- 
leck, whose uneasiness at one time became almost 
uncontrollable. Grant at first made strong effort 
to carry out these wishes, but we were not moved. 
Later on he found the field too far from his 
other operations and likely to interrupt plans for 
the summer. He preferred resting on the apparent 
apathy at the South and using his East Tennes- 
see strength in Virginia and Georgia where he 
should have full need for it. This view was to leave 
us in inactivity in East Tennessee, and no further 
serious effort was made. Longstreet had to move 
east when he was refused more troops for extended 



224 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

aggressive operations and received orders for return 
of Martin's cavalry to Georgia. Our march was 
begun about February 20, 1864, and was not dis- 
turbed. A fair position was found at Bull's Gap, 
and then we distributed our commands in good 
camps from the Holston to the Nolachucky. 



CHAPTER XXIX 
At Home in Savannah — Sketches 



Leave of absence — Visiting home with Doctor Sorrell — Travel- 
ing by rail — Old Savannah — Few changes — Many friends — 
Happiness in meeting them — Return to the army — Long- 
street's correspondence with Schofield — Attempt in same 
line near Richmond with General Ord — General Grant 
declines negotiations for peace — Andrew Johnson's Masonic 
paraphernalia saved by Captain Goree — Sketch — Long- 
street at Richmond — In conference with President and 
General Lee — Without result — First corps ordered back to 
Lee — Began moving late in April — Arrived at Mechanics - 
ville last of month — Major-General Field assigned to com- 
mand of Hood's division — Sketch — Congress votes thanks 
to First Corps (see Appendix) — Charlottesville — Sketch — 
Prices of various articles. 



I had now opportunity for yielding to my father's 
pressing urgency to take leave of absence and see 
him once more in life. I arranged for thirty days 
absence. The railroad was not yet fully repaired 
and my nearest station was about fifteen miles to 
ride. An agreeable medical officer gave me his 
company so far, but was constantly weeping that he 
was not on his way "to see his dear, beautiful little 
wife." I tried to comfort him by the reminder that 
no such attraction was waiting for me, but without 
success. He was, however, braced up by a horse 
trade we managed to get off, which as usual I incline 
to think I got the worst of. I think so by reason 
of a memorandum about horses in which the animal 
then acquired is named "Deceit." The train soon 
reached Bristol, whence a change of cars brought me 



226 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

through Lynchburg to Richmond. There Doctor 
Sorrel met me, like myself on leave, and light- 
htearted we started for home to see our dear kith 
and kin. 

It was my first absence from duty since July 21, 
1 86 1. Slow railway traveling in those days was 
the rule without exception — gauges not uniform, 
routes deviating, and engines of low power. The 
time was, I think, quite three days between Rich- 
mond and Savannah, traveling day and night, and 
of course such luxuries as sleeping-cars were then 
unknown. 

It was a great delight to see home again; to be 
welcomed and made much of, after the stern scenes 
of more than two years. Our friends were not 
backward or ungenerous. Hospitalities were show- 
ered upon us, but better than all was the loving home 
circle of aging father and happy young sisters. The 
latter, gladdened to have their brothers once more 
with them, sang, played, and danced to heart's 
delight. 

There were many changes. Only six companies 
had gone to the Eastern army. The remainder of the 
very large forces sent by the city was distributed 
through the Western armies and the coast defenses ; 
consequently I had seen but few of my old comrades 
and associates in Virginia. The happiness of meet- 
ing many awaited me in Savannah, and it will easily 
be imagined what our talk was about — the camp, 
the battle, the march, the enemy, and our own 
commands. 

There was no great change in the appearance of 
the town, then of about 30,000 population. Eighteen 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 227 

miles from the sea, and beautifully situated on a high 
bluff, it enjoyed a large commerce and much lucra- 
tive business. Shady walks, numerous small wooded 
parks, and thousands of branching, leafy trees made 
it a very attractive and beautiful little city. The 
rigors of war had not yet touched it. The forts 
at the entrance to the river were the enemy's, but 
he had not yet penetrated to the city. That was 
preserved for Sherman in December, from the West. 

The days slipped by. Our time was nearly up, 
and with cheerful farewells we were soon on our 
way back to Virginia. Dropping my brother, the 
Doctor, at Richmond, I went directly back to my 
familiar duties with our army in its winter camp 
in East Tennessee. 

Affairs had been very quiet within that thirty 
days, and I was well satisfied to be again with the 
colors. My leave and my home became, as it were, 
but a pleasant bit of dreaming. 

Not long after Schofield took command of the 
Union forces our Lieutenant-General succeeded in 
getting into a short correspondence with him. The 
Federal commander was an able soldier, of liberal 
views, from which Longstreet had hopes. The lat- 
ter' s intentions were commendable. Like most 
of us, he wanted peace and the honorable termina- 
tion of the war and cessation of bloodshed. He felt 
that it was not to be accomplished by the politicians. 
They had plunged the country into civil war, he 
reasoned. They would be the last to bring it to an 
end. The hope was that the generals on both sides 
might give the movement such an impetus that state- 
craft must necessarily take it up with probably good 



228 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

results. It was with this view that some letters 
passed between Longstreet and Schofield. The 
former pressed that view, and, assuming the Union 
General, like himself, wanted peace, he urged a joint 
initiative from which much could be hoped. It was 
illusory. Schofield's letter was calm and noncom- 
mittal. Finally he had to say what was sure to be 
said, that it was not his part to deal with such 
matters, which were properly to be discussed by the 
Executive in Washington. It was necessarily so. 
The military were not clothed with authority for 
the purpose. Even the convention between Sher- 
man and Johnston at the close of hostilities was 
disapproved and annulled by the Federal civil 
authorities. 

The idea, however, did not vanish from Long- 
street's thoughts. It took fresh shape later in front 
of Richmond through General Ord, the officer imme- 
diately in command, as intermediary by which it 
was hoped a meeting between Grant and Lee could 
be achieved. General Grant declined a meeting for 
discussion on such a subject. The correspondence 
relating to these two incidents is probably to be found 
in the records published by Congress, and should be 
interesting. I refer to them entirely from memory. 

While quartered near Greenville some straggling 
soldiers found their way into the house once occupied 
by Andrew Johnson, then Vice-President. He was 
a Mason of high degree, and the emblems and para- 
phernalia of the order were very numerous in the 
dwelling. Our fellows thought they had made a 
find of value and were about starting off with it 
when halted by Captain Goree, A. D. C. of our staff. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 229 

He had everything carefully repacked and put in a 
safe place for the rightful owner. I have never 
known whether he finally recovered them uninjured. 

Goree was a Texan and had been with Longstreet 
from the beginning. The General was fortunate in 
having an officer so careful, observing, and intelli- 
gent. His conduct on all occasions was excellent 
and his intrepidity during exposure in battle could 
always be counted on. He was with the corps until 
Appomattox, and then returned to Texas, where 
he occupied responsible public office by vote of the 
people for many years. He enjoys good health and 
good Confederate memories now at his home in 
Galveston. 

About this time Generals Lee, Johnston, and 
Longstreet were called on by the Richmond authori- 
ties for suggestions as to further operations on a 
comprehensive scale. General Bragg was in office 
as adviser to the President. Having failed in all 
field operations, he had now the President's ear and 
the President's support for experimental strategy. 
Longstreet submitted an elaborate proposition, hav- 
ing for its objective a powerful demonstration in 
Kentucky by combination with General Johnston's 
army and the eventual command of the State under 
Confederate auspices. It is said that plan had Gen- 
eral Lee's approval when submitted to the President 
in counsel with the Secretary of War, General 
Bragg, and General Lee. The proposition was not 
accepted and nothing apparently was settled. Gen- 
eral Lee returned immediately to his army on the 
Rapidan and the Lieutenant-General set out for his 
headquarters at Greenville. Feeling himself entitled 



230 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

to the privilege, he stopped two days at Petersburg 
to see his wife, and to have his infant son christened 
^'Robert Lee." It appears this short stop subjected 
him to rebuke by the President for loitering. 

The country was now in wintry weather and there 
was much snow. Everything went into quarters 
that could and all military operations were sus- 
pended. The second division of General Johnston's 
cavalry was ordered tO' him through the mountains — 
a hard march. It should be stated that Johnston was 
now for some time in command of the Army of Ten- 
nessee in Bragg's place. In the first half of April 
our command started back to join General Lee on the 
Rapidan. It was made on cars collected as fast as 
possible. The troop detrained at Charlottesville. 
After a short stop in that country, we began, about 
the 22d, the march to Mechanicsville, not far from 
Gordonsville, and on the last of the month had the 
happiness to be reviewed by our beloved commander, 
General Lee. The troubles in Hood's old division 
would, it was hoped, be ended. Ma j. -Gen. Charles 
W. Fields had been some time back assigned to com- 
mand and was to prove an active and capable com- 
mander. He was an old Army man of much experi- 
ence and unquestioned valor. In the Appendix may 
be read the vote of thanks given by Congress to 
Lieutenant-General Longstreet and his command. 

When we detrained at Charlottesville I had the 
good fortune to meet some most hospitable friends. 
Judge William J. Robertson, eminent on the bench, 
and his charming wife insisted on having me in their 
handsome residence and agreeable family circle. It 
was a welcome contrast to the asperities of a winter 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 23l 

campaign in East Tennessee. The town itself was 
interesting and full of Virginia historic lore. Its 
chief pride is the Alma Mater of many Southern 
men, the University of Virginia, beloved of Jeffer- 
son. Near by, on steep Monticello, stands his own 
house, where youth and age, in admiration of the 
sage, the statesman, the philosopher, sought him for 
a word, a touch of the hand. The property is still 
well maintained by its present owner, proud of its 
history as part of Thomas Jefferson. The county 
of Albemarle (its deep red-clay soil remembered by 
many a sore-footed soldier), is of ancient settlement, 
abounding in wood and meadow and shining 
streams. Its tasty, luscious pippins are widely 
known to lovers of the apple. Some stately old 
residences, the "great houses" of large estates of the 
early Virginia families, are still to be seen ; but alas ! 
the ravages of war and its bitter results have left 
such properties but as so many reminders of an 
opulent past. It was this delightful resting place 
of a few days that we were now to leave for the 
great campaign of the Wilderness and its subse- 
quent battles. 

In April, 1864, the Confederacy had reached a 
point of great financial embarrassment, as shown 
by the depreciation of its paper currency. The pay 
of the officers was in reality a pittance, and those 
without other resources were often in straits. Many 
boxes and hampers, however, came to the camps from 
home and were of some help to all. 

A petition from officers in the field had gone to 
the War Department, asking that rations might be 
issued to them as to the private soldiers. It had 



232 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

attached a scale of prices charged the officers by the 
army commissaries, presumably the average cost 
price, and not the price of retail market. The offi- 
cers paid for bacon, $2.20 per pound; beef, 75 cents; 
lard, $2.20 per pound; molasses, $6 per gallon; 
sugar, $1.50 per pound. A coat cost $350; boots, 
$250; trousers, $125; hat, $80 to $125; shirt, $50; 
socks, $10 per pair. General Johnston in approving 
and verifying the petition said that at existing prices 
the pay of company officers was worth less than that 
of a private soldier. 

The shrinkage of the value of our paper currency 
continued with the progress of the war until, near 
the close, it almost ceased to have any purchasing 
power whatever. 



CHAPTER XXX 
Battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864. 

General Grant in command of all the Union forces — Takes 
station with Army of the Potomac — His career — His suc- 
cesses — Later kind feelings of Southern people toward 
him — His dinner party at Savannah — His plan of cam- 
paign — The policy of attrition — Grant moves his army — 
The Wilderness — Disparity of numbers — Courier service 
an example of our economy in men — Kershaw promoted 
major-general, commanding McLaws's division — Sketch — 
Lee decides to strike — Grant on the march — They meet on 
May 5th — An indecisive partial contest — Early on May 6 
Longstreet comes up — Finds situation serious — Hancock's 
successful attack on Third Corps — It is checked — Our flank 
attack on Hancock's left — He is rolled up and sent back — 
General Lee wants to lead troops — Longstreet wounded 
and Jenkins killed by fire of our own men — Major-General 
Wadsworth, U. S. A., killed — Attack resumed later — Not 
successful — Night ends long day's fighting. 

The Army of Northern Virginia was now to deal 
with a new force — a general with the great prestige 
of repeated victories in the West, and of undeniable 
ability. Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant had been 
made Commander-in-Chief of all the Federal armies 
in the field, and realizing the extraordinary achieve- 
ments of Lee's army, left the scene of his operations, 
and retaining Meade in command of the Army of 
the Potomac, took his station by that army for the 
supreme direction of military affairs. Grant's career 
was wonderful; were it not a fact, it would be 
thought a fairy tale. A West Point graduate of 



234 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

mediocrity, serving well in Mexico, but so given 
over to drink that his retirement from the Army 
may be said to have been compulsory. This was 
followed by hard-working attempts to make a living 
for his family, in humble occupations, until the stir- 
ring events of 1861 brought him forward, as they 
did every one who had enjoyed the opportunity of a 
soldier's education. Obtaining command of an Illi- 
nois regiment, his field service began, and was fol- 
lowed up with much success; until, placed in com- 
mand of important armies in Tennessee and Ken- 
tucky, he was able to break up the Confederate plans, 
and finally, by his crushing defeat of Bragg at Mis- 
sionary Ridge, prepared the way for Hood's destruc- 
tion at Franklin and Nashville, and Sherman's 
"march to the sea." 

Now came his work in Virginia, which is to be 
touched on, and then his Presidency for two terms. 
During much of this time he was said to be intem- 
perate, but if true it made no difference in the results 
accomplished. Mr. Lincoln was thought to be look- 
ing up Grant's brand of whiskey for some of his 
other generals. This General's character made him 
very dear to his friends. He was always true and 
helpful to them, and possessed a certain directness 
and simplicity of action that was in itself most 
attractive. 

General Grant's conduct toward our leader in the 
closing scenes at Appomattox and his vigorous 
defense of Lee when threatened by unprincipled and 
powerful Northern politicians are not likely to be 
forgotten by the Southern people. With the passing 
of time his fame as a great commander appears to 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 235 

be groAving, and will probably still grow after care- 
ful study of his campaigns. Only once did I have 
the opportunity of meeting this remarkable man. 
It was during the "third term" plans of the Repub- 
lican party that his friends were carrying him on 
visits to various parts of the country. He was in 
Savannah with Sheridan and others for a few days 
and was entertained at a handsome dinner-party, of 
some dozen or more leading gentlemen of the city, 
by General Henry R. Jackson, a wealthy and promi- 
nent Democratic citizen. He was himself a marked 
personality — a lawyer of eminence ; had been Minis- 
ter to Austria under Buchanan; was to be Minister 
to Mexico under Cleveland; was a poet and an 
orator, besides of the highest character, attainments, 
and social attractions. The dinner was a great suc- 
cess, served lavishly in the old Southern fashion, 
with various courses of wine, which the rough Sheri- 
dan brusquely put aside. "He wanted champagne, 
must have it at once." And he did have it from 
start to finish. 

Grant was in excellent form, looked well and talked 
well; his glass was not touched. Fresh from his 
tour around the world he had much to say. He had 
been deeply interested in Japan and talked incisively 
of that wonderful country, really a monologue of a 
full hour, the table intent and absorbed in the fresh 
observations that fell from him. Then it became 
time for his departure to meet a public appointment, 
and we rose to bow him out. Resuming our seats 
and attention to the old Madeiras, we agreed that 
for a silent man Grant was about the most interest- 
ing one we had recently found. His talk was clean- 
cut, simple, direct, and clear. 



236 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

The General-in-Chief made his headquarters near 
Culpeper. The Army of the Potomac was about 
130,000 strong in aggregate, and consisted of Han- 
cocks' Second Corps, Warren's Fifth, and Sedg- 
wick's Sixth; besides Burnside's Ninth, held apart 
near Rappahannock railroad bridge. Lee's army lay 
west of the Rapidan, R. H. Anderson's division fac- 
ing Madison Court House; the Second and Third 
Corps (Ewell's and Hill's), two divisions of the 
First, and Alexander's artillery were at Mechanics- 
ville; Pickett's division of the First was south of 
the James. Our strength is stated by Colonel Taylor 
to have been 63,998. 

We were at no loss to understand Grant's inten- 
tion. The Northern papers, as well as himself, had 
boldly and brutally announced the purpose of '^attri- 
tion" — that is, the Federals could stand the loss of 
four or five men to the Confederates' one, and threw 
nice strategy into the background. It was known 
that we were almost past recruiting our thin ranks, 
and the small figures of the army as it now stood; 
while the double numbers of the Federals could be 
reproduced from the immense resources in popula- 
tion, not to speak of their foreign field of supplies 
under inducement of liberal bounties. 

Grant started his march the night of May 3d, 
via Germanna and Elys Fords, Wilson's and Gregg's 
cavalry leading. Burnside was also ordered to him. 

The Wilderness was a wild, tangled forest of 
stunted trees, with in places impassable undergrowth, 
lying between Fredericksburg and Orange Court 
House, probably sixteen or seventeen miles square. 
Some farm clearings and a shanty or two for a few 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 237 

poor inhabitants might occasionally be seen. Two 
principal roads penetrated this repulsive district, the 
Orange Plank Road and the turnpike. The ground 
generally lay flat and level. 

And now was to begin the last and greatest of 
the campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia. 
The campaign of attrition on one side met and foiled 
by the fine flower of the ablest strategy on the other. 
It was Grant's stubborn perseverance, indifferent to 
the loss of life, against Lee's clear insight and inces- 
sant watchfulness. Our army always ready, ever 
fighting, was tO' hold the Federal forces from the 
Wilderness to the final break at Petersburg, from 
May to March, ten months of supreme effort, most 
exhaustive tO' a commander. Marshall Marmont 
says, "The attacking general has, to a large extent, 
command of the mind of his defensive opponents." 
It is doubtless true, but Lee often gave his mind 
necessary relief and chanced success by a sudden 
initiative against Grant. The latter would unex- 
pectedly find part of his army attacked with swift 
energy and would get something for his mind to 
work on besides the control of Lee's. 

Referring to the disparity of numbers, we did in 
truth want men. A little detail will show how we 
had to economize them. Until recently there had 
been small cavalry details at general headquarters 
and with corps and division chiefs. These, however, 
were all sent back to serve with the regimental 
colors, and the courier service they had been doing 
taken up by assignments of men from the infantry 
ranks who could keep themselves mounted. 

Six were allowed for corps headquarters, four for 
divisions, and two for brigades. Being picked men. 



238 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

the service was well performed; but the time was 
not far off when these able men had again to take 
up their muskets by their colors. Disabled fellows 
who could ride but did no marching were put at the 
important courier duties and did well ! The enemy 
said we were robbing the cradle and the grave, and 
it was more or less true. 

Maj.-Gen. J. B. Kershaw, a lawyer from South 
Carolina, was one of the most distinguished and 
efficient officers of the Virginia army. His service 
had been long and uninterrupted. Coming out with 
a fine South Carolina regiment among the first to 
be sent to Virginia, his abilities soon made him its 
colonel. He served long in that rank, his steady 
courage and military aptitude invariably showing 
handsomely in the arduous service of his regiment. 

It was one of those forming the South Carolina 
Brigade of McLaws's division. Longstreet was 
quick to perceive Kershaw's merit and recommended 
him for promotion. It was sometime coming. But 
when he was brigadier-general and placed in com- 
mand of the brigade he maintained his high reputa- 
tion fully. In 1864 he was promoted to be major- 
general, and continuing his service with Longstreet's 
corps, his conduct and abilities were conspicuous 
until the very end of hostilities. General Kershaw 
was of most attractive appearance, soldierly and 
handsome, of medium size, well set up, light hair and 
moustache, with clean-cut, high-bred features. 

Grant's movement was soon made known to Lee, 
and the latter prepared to strike. It was his way, 
he waited not for the blow; better give it, was a 
large part of his strategy. It was thought Grant 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 239 

could best be met by a stroke as he marched. The 
Second and Third Corps were ordered forward by 
the Plank Road. Our own two divisions, Field's and 
Kershaw's, the latter commanding in McLaws's 
place, and Alexander's batteries were near Gordons- 
ville and ordered to move by the Plank Road to 
Parker's Store. The route w^as changed at General 
Longstreet's request, and he found a good guide in 
James Robinson, well known to our Quartermaster 
Taylor, who lived at Orange Court House. We 
were at Richard's shop at 5 p. m. on May 5th, 
Rosser's cavalry then being engaged at that point 
with part of Sheridan's ; the latter moving off when 
we came up. The march had been twenty-eight 
miles, and there orders from the Commanding Gen- 
eral were received for changing direction so as to 
unite with other troops on the Plank Road. Direc- 
tions conforming were issued to resume march at 
midnight. 

Both armies being now in quick motion, the col- 
lision was soon to come; indeed, had already come 
with Heth's and Wilcox's divisions, ending late that 
night after fierce battle. I make no attempt at detail 
of all Confederate and Union movements, but the 
great battle of the Wilderness is now to be fought 
and the important part in it taken by the First Army 
Corps briefly sketched. 

Strange to say, the two divisions of our Third 
Corps, Heth's and Wilcox's, after their severe battle 
made no attempt at defensive field work or trench- 
ing when firing ceased that night. In explanation, 
it is said they expected to be withdrawn and conse- 
quently did no work nor replenished their ammuni- 



240 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

tion. But Hancock, accomplished general that he 
was, suffered himself to fall into no such pit. He 
had his men at work all night strengthening his 
position, and was thus enjoying the soldier's high 
feeling of confidence; and then with the sun he let 
fly at the troops in front of him, apparently inviting 
attack with no ground defenses whatever. It was 
distressing to realize such failure in the field work, 
and the result came near a great disaster. 

Longstreet had moved at i a. m., the march being 
difficult and slow in the dense forest by side tracks 
and deep furrowed roadways. At daylight he was 
on the Plank Road and in close touch with Lee 
when Hancock struck the two unprepared divisions. 
The situation when we came on the scene, that of 
May 6th, Avas appalling. Fugitives from the broken 
lines of the Third Corps were pouring back in dis- 
order and it looked as if things were past mending. 
But not so to James Longstreet ; never did his great 
qualities as a tenacious, fighting soldier shine forth 
in better light. He instantly took charge of the 
battle, and threw his two divisions across the Plank 
Road, Kershaw on the right, Field on the left. None 
but seasoned soldiers like the First Corps could have 
done even that much. I have always thought that 
in its entire splendid history the simple act of form- 
ing line in that dense undergrowth, under heavy fire 
and with the Third Corps men pushing to the rear 
through the ranks, was perhaps its greatest perform- 
ance for steadiness and inflexible courage and dis- 
cipline. Hill's men were prompt to collect and 
reform in our rear and soon were ready for better 
work. General Lee was under great excitement 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 241 

immediately on the left. He wanted to lead some 
of our troops into action, but the Texas brigade 
was about him and swore they would do nothing 
unless he retired. A confident message from Long- 
street through Colonel Venable that his line would 
be restored within an hour also helped him to regain 
his calm ; and then at it we went in earnest, on both 
sides of the road. Hancock's success had loosened 
his ranks somewhat, which helped us when we fell 
on him. It was a hard shock of battle by six of our 
brigades, three on each side of the road. No artil- 
lery came into play, the ground not being fit for it. 
The enemy's advance was checked, then wavered, 
and finally relinquished ; our troops pushing forward 
into the recovered lines. Longstreet had redeemed 
his promise to his commander. Meantime sharp 
work had also been going on at the left by Lieu- 
tenant-General Ewell — the never sleeping Ewell — 
and the prospects were bright. 

R. H. Anderson, with Hill's corps, had come up 
and reported to Longstreet, who posted part of it 
on the right. Latrobe, of our staff, had received 
painful wounds in the thigh and hand, in this fight, 
while pushing the men forward. It had taken sev- 
eral hours to achieve this and a slight pause in the 
activities of the armies occurred. Gen. M. L. Smith, 
an engineer from General Headquarters, had re- 
ported to Longstreet and examined the situation 
on our right, where he discovered the enemy's left 
somwhat exposed and inviting attack; and now 
came our turn. General Longstreet, calling me, 
said: "Colonel, there is a fine chance of a great 
attack by our right. If you will quickly get into 



242 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

those woods, some brigades will be found much scat- 
tered from the fight. Collect them and take charge. 
Form a good line and then move, your right pushed 
forward and turning as much as possible to the 
left. Hit hard when you start, but don't start until 
you have everything ready. I shall be waiting for 
your gun fire, and be on hand with fresh troops for 
further advance." 

No greater opportunity could be given to an aspir- 
ing young staff officer, and I was quickly at work. 
The brigades of Anderson, Mahone, and Wofford 
were lined up in fair order and in touch with each 
other. It was difficult to assemble them in that 
horrid Wilderness, but in an hour we were ready. 
The word was given, and then with heavy firing 
and ringing yells we were upon Hancock's exposed 
left, the brigades being ably commanded by their 
respective officers. It was rolled back line after line. 
I was well mounted, and despite the tangled growth 
could keep with our troops in conspicuous sight of 
them, riding most of the charge with Mahone's 
men and the Eighteenth Virginia. Some correspon- 
dence will be found in the Appendix about it. A 
stand was attempted by a reserve line of Hancock's, 
but it was swept off its feet in the tumultuous rush 
of our troops, and finally we struck the Plank Road 
lower down. On the other side of it was Wads- 
worth's corps in disorder. (I had last seen him 
under flag of truce at Fredericksburg. ) Though the 
old General was doing all possible to fight it, his 
men would not stay. A volley from our pursuing 
troops brought down the gallant New Yorker, kill- 
ing both rider and horse. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 243 

There was still some life left in the General, and 
every care was given him by our surgeon. Before 
they could get to him, however, some of his valu- 
ables — watch, sword, glasses, etc. — had disappeared 
among the troops. One of the men came up with, 
"Here, Colonel, here's his map." It was a good 
general map of Virginia, and of use afterwards. 
We were then so disorganized by the chase through 
the woods that a halt was necessary to reform, and 
I hastened back to General Longstreet to press for 
fresh troops. There was no need with him. He 
had heard our guns, knew what was up, and was 
already marching, happy at the success, to finish it 
with the eager men at his heels. 

There was quite a party of mounted officers and J) 

men riding with him — Generals Kersaw and Jen- >s> 

kins, the staff, and orderlies. Jenkins, always enthu- 
siastic, had thrown his arm about my shoulder, with, 
"Sorrel, it was splendid ; we shall smash them now." 
And turning back I was riding by Longstreet's side, 
my horse's head at his crupper, when firing broke 
out from our own men on the roadside in the dense 
tangle. 

The Lieutenant-General was struck. He was a 
heavy man, with a very firm seat in the saddle, 
but he was actually lifted straight up and came down 
hard. Then the lead-torn coat, the orifice close to 
the right shoulder pointed to the passage of the 
heavy bullet of those days. His staff immediately 
dismounted him, at foot of a branching tree, bleed- 
ing profusely. 

The shot had entered near the throat and he 
was almost choked with blood. Doctor Cullen, his 



244 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

medical director, was quickly on the spot. Even 
then the battle was in the leader's mind, and he 
sent word to Major-General Field to go straight on. 
He directed me to hasten to General Lee, report 
what had been accomplished, and urge him to con- 
tinue the movement he was engaged on; the troops 
being all ready, success would surely follow, and 
Grant, he firmly believed, be driven back across the 
Rapidan. I rode immediately to General Lee, and 
did not again see my chief until his return to duty 
in October. The fatal firing that brought him down 
also killed General Jenkins, Captain Foley and sev- 
eral orderlies. Jenkins was a loss to the army — 
brave, ardent, experienced and highly trained, there 
was much to expect of him. 

The firing began among some of the Virginia 
troops that had rushed the attack. Our detour was 
such that it was quite possible to expect the capture 
of prisoners, and when Longstreet's party was seen, 
followed by Jenkins's brigade and part of Kershaw's 
command, in the shaded light of the dense tangle, a 
shot or two went off, then more, and finally a strong 
fusilade. The officers of our party acted splendidly 
in the effort to avert confusion and stop the deadly 
firing. General Kershaw was conspicuous about it, 
and our signal officer. Captain J. H. Manning, delib- 
erately, calmly rode through the fire up to the Virgin- 
ians, holding up his hands and making signs that we 
were friends. This happened between twelve and one 
o'clock. My report to General Lee was, as instructed, 
immediate. I found him greatly concerned by the 
wounding of Longstreet and his loss to the army. 
He was most minute in his inquiries and was pleased 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 245 

to praise the handling of the flank attack. Long- 
street's message was given, but the General was not 
in suflicient touch with the actual position of the 
troops to proceed with it as our fallen chief would 
have been able to do ; at least, I received that impres- 
sion, because activity came to a stop for the moment. 
A new attack with stronger forces was settled on. 
It was to be made direct on the enemy's works, 
lower down the Plank Road, in the hope of dis- 
lodging him. 

But meantime the foe was not idle. He had used 
the intervening hours in strengthening his position 
and making really formidable works across the road. 
When the Confederate troops assaulted them late in 
the afternoon they met with a costly repulse, and 
with this the principal operations on our part of the 
field ceased for the day; it was coming on dark. )l 



CHAPTER XXXI 
Coincidences — Longstreet's Successor 



Longstreet borne from the field — His letter to Lee from Lynch- 
burg — Return of General Wadsworth's map to his son — 
Coincidence in the wounding of Jackson and Longstreet — 
General Lee summons me — Talks of assignment to com- 
mand of First Corps — He decides on General Richard H. 
Anderson. 



General Longstreet was first taken to the house 
of his quartermaster, Major Taylor, near by, and 
thence, when he could be moved, to Lynchburg. 
From there he wrote to General Lee of this attack 
on Hancock's left as conducted by myself, and I 
trust it may not be considered out of place to insert 
that letter here. 

"General Longstreet's book has caused to be 
brought forth quite a number of incidents of the 
late war which that distinguished Confederate neces- 
sarily passed over briefly in his narrative. In the 
battle of the Wilderness, May 6, 1864, Longstreet's 
corps moved to the support of A. P. Hill's corps 
early in the morning and checked the onward move- 
ment of the enemy. In this attack General G. M. 
Sorrel (then lieutenant-colonel and chief of staff of 
General Longstreet), under the orders of his chief, 
took Mahone's, Wofford's and G. T. Anderson's 
brigades, and, swinging around to the right, the 
Confederates carried everything before them. For 
his gallantry on that occasion. Colonel Sorrel was 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 247 

made a brigadier-general on the recommendation of 
General Longstreet, in the subjoined letter: 

Lynchburg, Va., May 19, 1864. 
General R. E. Lee, Commanding, etc. 

Sir : The peculiar character of the position occupied by the 
enemy in my front on the 6th inst. was such as to render a 
direct assault impracticable. After a brief consultation with 
the commanding general, a move was agreed upon, turning and 
attacking the enemy's left flank. Lieutenant-Colonel Sorrel, 
my chief of staff, was assigned to represent me in this flank 
movement, with instructions as to the execution of it. The 
flank attack, made by three brigades, was to be followed by a 
corresponding movement of the other brigades of the command. 
This attack, made under the supervision of Lieutenant-Colonel 
Sorrel, was executed with much skill, promptness, and address, 
and the enemy was driven from his position in haste and some 
confusion. 

It occurs to me that this is one of the instances of skill, 
ability and gallantry on the battle-field which should commend 
itself to the high approval of the Executive. 

I, therefore, take great pleasure in recommending Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Sorrel's promotion to brigadier-general for dis- 
tinguished conduct on this occasion. I should have reported 
this case much earlier and asked for promotion upon the spot, 
but that I was struck down by a painful wound a few moments 
after the execution of the movement. I am still unable to write 
and hence must ask the privilege of signing this by my aide-de- 
camp. 

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

(Signed.) J. Longstreet, 

Lieutenant-General 

' (Signed.) By T. J. Goree, 

Aide-de-Camp. 

Hancock said long after to Longstreet, "You rolled 
me up like a wet blanket and it was some hours 
before I could reorganize for battle." 

Many years after this great struggle, opportunity 
was given me of placing with Hon. John Wads- 
worth, M. C, son of the general, the map before 
referred to as taken from his father when he fell. 



248 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

In making his acknowledgments it was gratifying 
to learn that nearly all the other belongings of this 
gallant officer had gradually, by kindness of friends, 
found their way back into the family possessions. 

Some coincidences in the fall of Jackson and 
Longstreet are not without interest. 

On May 3, 1863, Lieutenant-General Jackson, 
great corps commander of the Army of Northern 
Virginia, was struck down by the fire of his own 
men while executing a successful flank movement 
in the Wilderness at the battle of Chancellorsville. 
On May 6, 1864, just one year later, Lieutenant- 
General Longstreet, the other great corps com- 
mander of the Army of Northern Virginia, was also 
struck down by the fire of his own men while con- 
ducting a successful flank movement, and this on 
almost the same ground. 

While one fell (unhappily mortally wounded) at 
Ghancellorsville and the other at Wilderness, both 
names apply to that singular district, and the two 
points were not very wide part. 

At sunrise, on the 7th, I was summoned to the 
Commander-in-Ghief and promptly reported. Gen- 
eral Lee received me most kindly and at once with- 
drew under a neighboring tree. "I must speak to 
you, Golonel," he opened, "about the command of 
the First Gorps." He then in substance went on to 
say that the two major-generals of the corps present 
were too recent for the command (Pickett does not 
appear to have been thought of) and an officer must 
be assigned. He had three in mind : Major-Generals 
Early, Edward Johnson, and Richard H. Anderson, 
and did me the honor to invite my opinion. *'You 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 249 

have," he said, "been with the corps since it started 
as a brigade, and should be able to help me/' 

At once I saw the need of giving all the assistance 
possible and that I must use every care in judgment. 

Thanking the General for his unprecedented con- 
fidence, I said that probably Early would be the 
ablest commander of the three named, but would 
also be the most unpopular in our corps. His flings 
and irritable disposition had left their marks, and 
there had been one or two occasions when some ugly 
feelings had been aroused while operating in concert. 
I feared he would be objectionable to both officers 
and men. "And now. Colonel, for my friend Ed. 
Johnson; he is a splendid fellow.'' "All say so, 
General," was my answer — and I fully believed it — 
"but he is quite unknown to the corps. His reputa- 
tion is so high that perhaps he would prove all that 
could be wished, but I think that some one person- 
ally known to the corps would be preferred." 

This brought the commander to Gen. Richard H. 
Anderson, and I was led to say, without presuming 
to criticize him or point out his merits or demerits 
(there are probably plenty of both), "We know him 
and shall be satisfied with him." He was long a 
brigadier with us, tried and experienced; then a 
major-general until withdrawn to make up the Third 
Corps. 

"Thank you, Colonel," said General Lee. "I have 
been interested, but Early would make a fine corps 
commander." Being dismissed, I hastened back to 
camp, full of thoughts as to who was to command 
us. It looked from the General's closing words as if 
it would be Early (I am sure he preferred him), 



250 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

but no, Anderson was the man. Later, the same 
day, came the order assigning chivalrous, dehberate 
"Dick" Anderson to the command of the First Army 
Corps and it was not very long before he was made 
lieutenant-general. 



CHAPTER XXXII 

Battles of Spottsylvania C. H., May io and 12, 
AND Cold Harbor, June 3, 1864. 

The night's horrors — The forest on fire — Sufferings of the 
wounded — On same ground May 7th — Anderson in com- 
mand of First Corps — Characteristics — The great strategic 
contest between Grant and Lee — Grant moves for Spott- 
sylvania Court House — Lee follows in time — Both sides 
entrench — Union attack of loth checked — Not so on the 
I2th — Edward Johnson's division suddenly assailed — Is 
captured with guns and colors — A serious loss keenly felt — 
Salient was exposed — New line established — Terrific fire 
for its possession by Gordon's fresh troops — We hold the 
new ground after heavy losses — Sedgwick killed on loth — 
Stuart, our cavalry leader, shot on May 12th — General Lee 
not in good health — Attack by Grant at Cold Harbor — 
Great slaughter of Union soldiers — Assaults abandoned — 
Grant asks for truce to bury dead — Lee in doubt as to 
enemy's movements — Grant stole a march and nearly had 
Petersburg — Saved by Beauregard — Reinforcements and 
losses — An accident by falling chimney — Death of Colonel 
Edward Willis — General Hampton assigned to command 
of cavalry — Sketch. 

The night was hideous. The brush and under- 
growth had taken fire from the musketry and flames 
and smoke were obscuring everything. The numer- 
ous parties out for burying the dead and gathering 
the wounded were much impeded and many wounded 
must have perished, hidden from sight of man in 
that awful burnt tangle. These duties and close 
search continued all next day. 

Our new commander, General Anderson, took the 
corps early on the 7th, during which the armies lay 



252 RECOLLECTIONS OF A , ' . 

quiet after the battle. Grant was not aggressive, 
nor were we. The Federal commander's reflections 
may have been sombre. Expecting only a march, 
he had found bloody battles, for the Army of Nor- 
thern Virginia was always in front of him. On the 
other hand, Lee was doubtless in the full gravity of 
the immense responsibilities before him and his 
severe losses. 

It was from now until June 14th, when Grant 
reached his pontoon bridge over the James on his 
way tO' the new scene of action at Petersburg, a 
game to the death for the possession of Rich- 
mond. His able and powerful movements were to 
throw his army between Lee and our capital. He 
found Lee always, not the capital, and the move- 
ments, which shall not be detailed too much, were 
steadily on that line. Our General invariably pene- 
trated his adversary's design and objective and was 
there — perhaps in a hurry and breathless, but there ; 
and enough of us were ready to make necessary 
another march of the Union left. 

Following then his original plan. Grant, on the 
night of the 7th, made a rapid flank movement to 
secure Spottsylvania Court House. Immediately 
part of our corps moved with General Anderson and 
arrived at the Court House contemporaneously with 
the Northerners. 

The march through the scorched and smoking 
Wilderness was most painful. The Union men, a 
little in advance, had seized the best strategic point, 
but were driven off by our arrival, and on the 9th we 
found each other in line of battle, both sides en- 
trenching wherever they might stand. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 253 

On the lotli the enemy made a handsome dash at 
Ewell's left and dislodged it, taking two guns. 
General Lee wanted to lead for recovery, but was 
dissuaded. The enemy being attacked was made to 
give up the line and the guns. 

It was in this affair that Ma j. -Gen. John Sedg- 
wick, commander of Grant's Sixth Corps, was killed. 
A bullet pierced his head from a great distance. 
He and Lee had been warm friends, and the latter 
expressed many regrets. 

There was a salient on Ewell's line, occupied by 
Edward Johnson's division, that Lee rightly con- 
sidered dangerous to our security. Another line 
across the base was ordered constructed and the 
exposed artillery transferred to it. Before arrange- 
ments could be completed and before the artillery 
could be pushed forward again, Johnson was fiercely 
assailed at sunrise on the 12th by a heavy column 
massed for the purpose during the night. Most of 
the division was captured, including Major-General 
Johnson and Brigadier-General Stewart. 

Lee's position instantly became perilous. He was 
cut in twain and fully realized it. Good work was 
done in repairing the break and strong bodies of 
troops moved from right and left to check the 
enemy's further advance. General Lee was under 
intense anxiety, plainly evinced, and was quite on 
the point of leading his fresh troops for restoring 
the line. Gen. J. B. Gordon, however, came on the 
scene, got the General back in his right place, and 
after a short, impassioned address to the troops, 
attacked most vigorously with the other generals. 
Truly it was the center of a fire from hell itself! 



254 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

The Federals lining the two sides of the captured 
salient and the Confederates at the base poured forth 
a fusilade that could not be exceeded. Nothing 
uncovered could live in such a fire — trees were felled, 
trunks cut by small-arm bullets ! The Union advance 
was checked, but we failed to recover our first lines 
and rested with a new one better drawn. 

The army felt keenly the loss of Johnson's divi- 
sion and guns, but our lines were not again forced 
in the field. Reinforcements poured into the Union 
army, Grant waiting quietly until the i8th for 
assembling them from Washington, occasionally 
also doing some maneuvering. Our own army was 
likewise in quiet inaction, but unhappily receiving 
no such reinforcements. 

General Anderson, as already stated, was well 
known to us, and fell easily into position as corps 
commander. During the events just sketched he 
had shown commendable prudence and an intelli- 
gent comprehension of the work in hand. He was 
a very brave man, but of a rather inert, indolent 
manner for commanding troops in the field, and by 
no means pushing or aggressive. My relations with 
him were uniformly pleasant. He seemed to leave 
the corps much to his staff, while his own meditative 
disposition was constantly soothed by whiffs from 
a noble, cherished meerschaum pipe in process of 
rich coloring. He was a short, thick, stocky figure, 
with good features and agreeable expression. I 
sometimes found myself sleeping in the same tent 
with him. He had a way on waking of sitting on 
his bed and proceeding to mend and patch his be- 
longings out of a well-filled tailor's ''necessaire" he 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 255 

always carried — clothing, hats, boots, bridles, sad- 
dles, everything came handy to him. He caught me 
once watching this work, and said, smiling : "You 
are wondering, I see; so did my wife when first 
married. She thought she should do the mend- 
ing, but I told her I ought to have a little recreation 
occasionally." 

We heard of Stuart's death near the Yellow 
Tavern on May 12th. It caused indescribable feel- 
ing in the army. 

The great cavalry leader was so known to us all, 
officers and men ; had passed through so much with- 
out hurt; his devotion to Lee was so thoroughly 
appreciated, and our sense of security against sur- 
prise so confident with him in the saddle that deep 
was our grief. His disposition so happy and sunny, 
his enterprise so untiring, his soul so valiant, all 
sprang to our memories. It was really after the 
battle that he fell, by an outpost bullet, when he 
should have been safe. 

Long years after, on a glorious day in May, Con- 
federate veterans thronged Richmond to dedicate 
the statue of their beloved commander. 

The flower-strewn city — grim war having long 
since given way to gentle peace^ — was gay with 
lovely women and their happy smiles; while bright 
bunting, our own starry cross and the stars and 
stripes, conspicuous with flags of all nations, made 
the streets a mass of flaming color. 

It was as one of the marshals that I was assisting 
on the memorable occasion, and dear friends at the 
fine old Virginia estate, the Stewart's hospitable 
"Brook Hill," near the city, had made me their 



256 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

guest. The gracious hostess, growing if possible 
more lovely with advancing years, recalled from far 
back that historic toast and beauty of old Virginia, 
Evelyn Byrd, from whose family she descended; 
there this pictured chatelaine of Brook Hill, encom- 
passed by accomplished daughters, dispensed a 
charming hospitality. 

On one of those days Miss Stewart drove me to 
the spot where Stewart fell, about half way between 
their residence and the old Yellow Tavern. A small 
stone shaft by the roadside marked it. There we 
feelingly recalled his deeds and fame, and placed 
upon it our flower tokens. It was pleasant to see, 
too, the young people and children of the country- 
side tenderly placing their own remembrances on 
the hero's column. The valiant rider was not 
forgotten ! 

On the 1 8th we sustained on our lines another 
attack. It was easily resisted, and then Grant, two 
days after, started toward Bowling Green. Lee 
was quick to move for Hanover Junction and offered 
battle there. Grant declining, moved about May 
25th on a detour to the east — Lee always parallel 
and Richmond behind him. 

Our Commander-in-Chief was far from well phys- 
ically. Colonel Taylor, his adjutant-general, says the 
indisposition was more serious than generally sup- 
posed. Those near him were very apprehensive lest 
he should be compelled to give up. General Early 
writes : "One of his three corps commanders had 
been disabled by wounds at Wilderness. Another 
was too ill to command his corps, while he himself 
was suffering from a most annoying and weakening 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 257 

disease." Only his indomitable will and devotion 
could keep him in the field. To them we owe his 
patriotic adherence to the command of his unex- 
ampled army. 

About the 30th the Confederate army was in 
battle order near Atlee's Station, but General Grant 
continued his flank movement, Lee by him, in an 
easterly direction, and on June 3d the two armies 
confronted each other at Cold Harbor, the Con- 
federates hastily entrenching, as usual. 

It was historic ground. We had fought on part 
of it on the eventful days of June 26, 2y, 28, 1862. 
Here the Federal commander, weary of Lee and 
the oft-repeated march, made up his mind evidently 
to finish things. He attacked us with the utmost 
ferocity, but in vain. The assaults were delivered 
repeatedly but always repulsed with frightful car- 
nage, and finally men could do no more. The offi- 
cers with drawn swords pointed the way, but the 
men stood motionless in their ranks, a silent, effec- 
tive protest against further "attrition." 

Our men were steady in their field works and suf- 
fered but little loss. A section of a Savannah bat- 
tery, commanded by Lieutenant Ross Faligant, was 
on our line and conspicuous for its brilliant work. 
Swinton, the historian, says, "The loss on the Union 
side in this sanguinary action was over 13,000, while 
on the part of the Confederates it is doubtful if it 
reached that many hundreds." 

General Grant was late in asking for a truce to 
bury his dead, but finally did so. The sight in our 
front was sickening, heartrending to the stoutest 
soldier. Nothing like it was seen during the war, 



258 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

and that awful mortality was inflicted in but little 
more than an hour! The Union commander after- 
wards announced in general orders that no more 
assaults on entrenched lines should be made. He 
then continued his movement eastward. Lee was 
for a short time in painful doubt whether Grant 
would cross the river or hold his route up the north 
side. It was solved by Grant's bridge and rapid 
crossing, Lee having barely time to throw his van 
into Petersburg. Grant had^Qear^ stolen the march- 
on him. ' 

The latter had expected to capture the town by 
surprise, a coup de main. He was foiled by Beaure- 
gard and Wise and some brave militia and home 
guards. They defended the position until succor 
came, by the head of Lee's column hastening to the 
rescue. Beauregard's conduct on this occasion was 
admirable, and much was owing to him, for which 
I doubt if full acknowledgment has been made. 

According to official returns the Union losses 
since May 5th had been 6,700 killed, wounded and 
missing — 3,000 more than Lee numbered at the 
opening of the campaign. Grant had received in 
reinforcements 51,000 muskets, including Smith's 
four brigades. Lee's were 14,000. 

From Wilderness to Cold Harbor : Lee's aggre- 
gate, 78,400; Grant's aggregate, 1^2,600. 

I place here an incident less dismal than the reflec- 
tions brought up by the foregoing gruesome figures. 

At one of the small rivers in the sharp campaign 
just ended we were in line on the south side inviting 
battle. The enemy were on the other side, but with 
no intention of crossing. He contented himself with 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 259 

abundant artillery practise, and made everything 
uncomfortable in range of his shell. We found no 
need of making reply and saved our ammunition. 
Our corps headquarters had made halt for the time 
in a beautiful grove, where stood a large, old-fash- 
ioned Virginia residence, a great house of wooden 
framing, with two immense brick chimneys at each 
gable, the chimneys stretching far above the roof 
apex. 

The shelling was so frequent and the small frag- 
ments flying everywhere so annoying that most of 
us got under the lee of a gable. We knew it would 
not resist a shell, but could fend off the offensive 
fragments. General Anderson was coolly walking 
about the grove, sucking his big pipe, and warned 
us that if a shell struck one of the chimneys there 
might be trouble. We were perhaps two dozen 
sitting there, officers, orderlies, and some horses held 
by the bridle. Anderson was right. A crash, a 
bursting roar, and down came bricks and mortar 
on those not quick enough to skip out of the way. 
I myself lost no time, and was unhurt, as also were 
the others of the staff. But two of the couriers 
had a bad time of it. Hardy, my Chickamauga man, 
and Tucker, from Milledgeville, had, one a broken 
leg, the other a fractured arm. Both were put into 
and ambulance and, cursing and reviling at being 
wounded by loose brick-bats instead of honorable 
bullets, were carried to the rear. The laugh was 
decidedly on us. 

A loss, personal to me as well as to the army, 
happened during the marches, in which there was 
sometimes severe fighting by parts of the armies 



260 RECOLLECTIONS Of A 

not mentioned in the narrative. General Early, a 
most enterprising, resourceful officer, was much 
given to forced reconnaissances. They usually 
seemed to me unnecessary and wasted men by death 
and wounds. Their intention was to ascertain accu- 
rately the positive strength and morale of the enemy, 
and generally a brigade was told off for the service. 
It appeared to me that the information could be 
gathered by scouts and picked men without sacrific- 
ing the ranks, but General Early thought differently. 
On one of these movements the Virginia brigade of 
Pegram (who was absent, wounded) was com- 
manded by Col. Edward Willis, of the Twelfth 
Georgia Infantry. His was a fine character. Just 
from West Point at the outbreak of the war, he 
threw himself into the army with ardor, became 
colonel of the fine Twelfth Georgia Infantry, wor- 
thily succeeding Ed. Johnson, and was about to be 
made brigadier-general when ordered to the recon- 
naissance in force. He was shot down, mortally 
wounded — the gallant, fair-headed, white-skinned, 
slight young colonel (he was very young), valiantly 
leading the brigade. 

Our position was at some distance, but I was 
immediately sent for. Our families had long been 
neighbors and friends in Savannah, and young 
Willis was soon to be one of us by a still closer tie. 
I was quickly by his side. He died on my arm, but 
not before whispering loving messages for home 
and to that one he bore on his brave heart to its 
last beat. The remains of this brilliant young sol- 
dier were sent home, accompanied by a guard of 
honor picked from the brigade by his division 
commander. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 261 

Major-General Hampton succeeded Stuart in 
command of the cavalry. This officer had served 
from the very beginning of the war with high dis- 
tinction, had proved himself a careful, vigilant, as 
well as enterprising cavalry leader, and possessed 
the confidence of the cavalry troops. General Lee 
gave him his own without reservation and his hearty 
support in every situation. 

General Hampton was of fine presence, a bold 
horseman, a swordsman, and of the most undaunted 
courage. He had received several wounds, but was 
now in robust health. 

His family were identified with South Carolina 
from its earliest settlement, and grew to be of com- 
manding importance and wealth. 

He rose to the rank of lieutenant-general, and 
after the war performed great political services to 
his State within her borders and as her Senator at 
Washington. 



CHARTER XXXIII 

The Siege of Petersburg, June, 1864, to 
March, 1865 

Siege of Petersburg — Lines closely drawn — Attacks on Lee's 
right — Mahone's defense — Mining for an explosion — North 
side threatened — Troops sent — Capture of Battery Har- 
rison — Lee's attempt to retake it — The repulse — General 
Lee and General Pemberton — Attack on Fort Gilmer — 
Negroes in the van — General Lee's activity — His head- 
quarters — Enemy's fire on Petersburg — Meeting with 
Twelfth Virginia Infantry — Lee attacks in front of Rich- 
mond — Beats Kautz and takes his cannon — Kautz retreats 
to a fort — Lee attacks and is repulsed — Union troops armed 
with Spencer rifles — General Lee's quick eye for horses — 
Ewell's fall from his horse — Kershaw's Division sent 
to Valley — Destruction of barns and houses — Kershaw 
returns — Capture of a remount — The crater — Intercourse 
between pickets — Continuous firing — General E. P. Alex- 
ander's love of shooting. 

The siege of Petersburg had now begun. It is cer- 
tain that Lee had had a narrow escape in getting 
there in time. Grant had nearly beaten him and 
indeed should have taken the place, notwithstanding 
Beauregard's boldness. The Union generals had been 
explaining with some heated recriminations how they 
failed to be in possession before Lee came up. The 
latter on the north side had been for hours under in- 
tense anxious uncertainty in discovering Grant's 
move, whether a crossing or continued march on the 
north side. 

The lines were closely drawn and severe fighting 
ensued. Digging began in earnest on both sides. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 263 

Salients, traverses, bastions, forts, trenches, covered 
ways, parallel, zig-zags, and all the other devices for 
the taking and defense of fortified cities were resort- 
ed to. Our left rested on the Appomattox River and 
was so close to the enemy's line that a biscuit could 
be thrown across, and conversation went on constant- 
ly between the fighters, who the next minute were fir- 
ing at any head or arm that might be incautiously 
exposed. Our works stretched from the left around 
the town to the Weldon Road on the right, and this 
was an object of Lee's constant solicitude. It was 
our direct railroad to the South, and Grant in pos- 
session would have our communications cut and sup- 
plies broken off. For months it was the Federal 
General's incessant effort to accomplish it. His great 
numbers made it possible, but Lee always managed, 
notwithstanding, to have a defense. 

At Reams Station Major-General Mahone per- 
formed great service in beating back the force sent 
to seize the road at that point. Later in the siege, 
mining began by the enemy. The result was the 
appalling hour of the crater explosion by which very 
many Confederates perished, and then in the great 
combat that followed for recapturing the ground, 
hundreds of Federals fell. Mahone was conspicuous 
in restoring the- broken lines. 

But the story of the siege of Petersburg — eight 
months — is not to be told in a few pages. It was a 
struggle from day to day, night to night, and filled 
with picturesque scenes of individual daring and 
valor, sorties and strategems. There was often quiet 
massing of columns for heavy assaults on points sup- 
posed to be relatively weak. We sustained many of 



264 Recollections of a 

these but the lines were maintained. Lee also made 
some hard drives at his opponent with varying 
success. All, however, pointed to only one thing — 
the wasting of our unrecruited strength and the 
apparently limitless numbers available for the Union 
Army. 

While such operations were carried on south of 
the James, General Grant was not idle on the north 
side. A strong force was held there threatening 
Richmond, and our commander had to provide for it 
out of his thin ranks and keep some show of strength 
in front of our capital, immensely aided, however, 
by the excellent lines of field works that environed 
the city. These conditions brought about considera- 
ble shifting of our two divisions. Field and Ker- 
shaw were between the Petersburg lines and the 
north side, and Pickett's division was defending 
what was known as the Chesterfield lines between 
Petersburg and Richmond, but was not threatened. 

A strong force of the enemy had massed north 
of the James and captured a powerful earthwork 
known as Battery Harrison on our extreme right. 
General Lee had come on the scene with one of the 
First Corps divisions and other troops. He decided 
to retake the fort, attaching great importance to its 
possession. An assaulting column of three good 
brigades was organized, Bratton's South Carolina 
regiments among them. Captain Sorrel, then adju- 
tant-general, shook hands with me as they started 
forward, almost "a forlorn hope," and I thought 
never to see him alive again. But he came out safe 
among many killed and wounded, the assault being 
repulsed with great loss. A new line was entrenched 
and fortified, thrown back to right and rear. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 265 

General Lee, when he Hked, could sit down pretty 
hard on words not agreeable to him. An example 
was given that night. With his staff and several 
general ofificers he was at the Chaffin farm-house on 
the James, reviewing the serious events of the day. 
General Pemberton, after the fall of Vicksburg, 
being without assignment, had assumed his rank of 
lieutenant-colonel in the Regular Army, and as such 
was on engineer duty on the Richmond line of 
defenses. He was present and, speaking of Battery 
Harrison, said with something like superior confi- 
dence, "I presume. General, you will retake the fort, 
coute que coiate." Lee's sad, steady eyes rested on 
that unfortunate officer as he slowly said : "General 
Pemberton, I made my effort this morning and 
failed, losing many killed and wounded. I have 
ordered another line provided for that point and 
shall have no more blood shed at the fort unless you 
can show me a practical plan of capture ; perhaps you 
can. I shall be glad to have it." There was no 
answer from Pemberton. 

General Lee had had an anxious day ; all of it was 
occupied in meeting the enemy's attacks. There 
was an especially severe one on Fort Gilmer by Ben 
Butler's command, with negro regiments pushed in 
front of the assailing whites. Fortunately we had 
a staunch regiment in the fort, which beat back the 
attacking column. 

A hundred or two of the negroes, half crazed with 
whiskey, got into the ditch of the fort and refused 
surrender. 

Our men lighted some shells, rolled them over the 
parapet and quickly brought the darkies to subjec- 
tion. It was an ugly affair all through. 



266 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

And so the siege passed. One day strong detach- 
ments must be made to meet powerful movements 
against our extreme right flank, and requires the 
leaders' presence. Truly never was a leader called 
on for greater performance. General Lee's health 
was now fortunately stronger and his activity most 
wonderful. 

He was in comfortable quarters at the Turnbull 
House, offered for his use by the owner. Our own 
were not far distant, and quite comfortable in tents 
and small houses. The routine life of the town 
passed from day to day without excitement. The 
people had become accustomed to shell and bullets 
and made no ado when they whizzed about their 
heads. 

I do not think the enemy's fire was directed 
especially at the non-combatant part of the town, 
but much of it got there all the same. A new acces- 
sion to our staff was Captain Dunn, of Petersburg, 
an excellent gentleman, with us now for several 
months. A shell burst on him while bathing in his 
house, and smashed things all around, but the A. D. 
C. and his family escaped. A bullet had found his 
leg before this good luck. 

The citizens were very hospitable and very self- 
sacrificing. Too much could not be done for the 
soldiers. But this was the feeling and the practise 
all over Virginia. 

As we entered Petersburg I came up with the 
regiments of Mahone's brigade, the Twelfth among 
them. They had not forgotten the Wilderness, gave 
me a rousing cheer, and cried out that we must again 
together charge these fellows in front of Petersburg. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 267 

Their brave survivors keep me in mind still, after 
these many years. 

General Lee, always aggressive, was quick to find 
opportunity of attack. He saw his enemy rather ex- 
posed at a point in front of Richmond, quickly got 
some troops in position, and made a dash at them in 
great style. It was a strong force of infantry and 
cavalry under General Kautz, and he left eight or 
nine guns, many prisoners, and some colors in our 
hands, retiring to a strong fort and defenses about a 
mile in his rear. Our General decided to have it and 
follow up his first success. Gregg's Texas Brigade 
and two others — seasoned troops — were thrown at 
Kautz's fort. We could not live against its fire — 
no troops could. His men were armed with the 
Spencer magazine rifles and such a fire had never 
before jarred and stunned us. We had to retire and 
resume our positions. Losses were considerable, 
among them Brig.-Gen. John Gregg, commanding 
the Texas Brigade — a very able officer. 

General Lee was fond of horses and had always 
an eye to them. When the first attack was made my 
brother. Captain Sorrel, was mounted on a nice 
young mare I had just given him. At the first onset 
she was shot, and horse and rider were both in the 
mud. It happened almost under General Lee's eyes. 

Some days after, the General meeting Sorrel on 
the road kindly asked if he were hurt, and was sorry 
for the loss of the mare. "But I have got another. 
General," said the Captain. ''Yes, two it seems," 
the General answered as he rode off, smiling. Sor- 
rel's bewilderment was removed when later on it 
became plain that the new purchase was in foal. 



268 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

When Ewell, one leg gone, was forced to relin- 
quish field work and take leave of his corps, the old 
warrior insisted on other duty, and was assigned to 
command of the inner line of defenses about Rich- 
mond. General Lee, with Ewell, Anderson, and a 
number of other officers, and some of our staff, was 
examining a new line of defense with that trained 
engineer's eye of his, Ewell riding by him. The 
latter was so good a horseman that his one leg was 
equal to most riders' two, but his horse stumbling, 
down came both — an awful cropper. I made sure 
the General's head and neck were cracked. He was 
picked up, no bones broken, but an "object" about 
the head; scratched, bruised, torn and bloody. Lee 
instantly ordered him back to Richmond and to stay 
there until completely well. 

In two or three hours he was again on the lines, 
and such a sight! Painfully comical it was. He 
had gone to the hospital, where the bald head and 
face were dressed. He returned swathed in band- 
ages from crown of head to shoulders. Two little 
apertures for his piercing eyes and two small breath- 
ing spaces were all that was left open for the Lieu- 
tenant-General. Quite indifferent, however, to such 
mishaps, he was sharp about his work and lisping 
out directions as usual. 

General Lee thought to weaken the pressure on 
him at Petersburg and Richmond by transferring 
some of it to the open field of the Valley, where 
skilful maneuvering might ofifset inferior numbers. 
He had the temerity to detach part of his army for 
the purpose, and with some other commands sent 
General Anderson with Kershaw's division across 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 269 

the mountains. Most of the staff went with the 
expedition and had opportunity of witnessing Sheri- 
dan's work in destroying all the resources of that 
fighting-ground. 

As we marched forward, the enemy slowly retir- 
ing, smoke was seen ahead on a wide range from 
the burning barns and granaries of the non- 
combatant people. Sheridan was arranging for his 
"crow" to carry his own rations should he venture 
into the Valley. 

General Lee's ingenious and bold attempt did not 
result as he hoped. Grant could not be tempted that 
way. His business was at Petersburg and Rich- 
mond, and besides there were already enough of his 
troops in the Valley and covering Washington to 
answer for the safety of that capital. Our expedi- 
tion was therefore soon terminated and came back 
to the James. The division had but two encounters 
in the Valley. One at Charlestown, a small affair, 
in which General Humphreys, commanding the 
Mississippi Brigade, was wounded. Another was 
at Front Royal, in which Wofford's brigade got 
caught in a bend of the river and was beaten off 
with loss in killed, wounded, and prisoners. A dear 
friend. Colonel Edward Stiles, Sixteenth Georgia 
Regiment, was killed. 

I had chance, however, before marching, after a 
sharp night's ride, to pay a flying visit at their home 
to the good ladies Hamtrammock, who had cared 
for me wounded at Sharpsburg. They were as 
pleasant as ever and the hour seemed all too short. 
While in the Federal lines they had supplied them- 
selves with all sorts of little things for soldiers in 



270 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

the field, as tokens of remembrance, and I had 
pressed on me a pair of fine gauntlets, which seemed 
about everything that I wanted at the moment. 

On our way back to Lee the division (Kershaw's) 
suddenly came up with a Union regiment of cavalry 
foraging at the foot of the mountains. It was a 
surprise to the riders, and they at once took to their 
heels, pressing up on the side of the mountains for 
escape. We had nothing but food with us, and 
most of the mounted regiment got safely away in 
small parties. Two fully-equipped ambulances, 
however, could not follow the riders, and were over- 
turned in a mountain gulley. One of them furnished 
me with an excellent mount. Two soldiers were 
going through its beautiful equipment, and coming 
among the medicines to a large vessel labeled 
"Spiritus frumenti" it was tossed aside with the 
rest of the pharmacoepia. But some one suggested 
that ''Spiritus frumenti" might be another way of 
spelling whiskey — and then to see those fellows go 
for it ! 

While the commander and most of the troops of 
the First Corps were on the north side, the enemy's 
mines at Petersburg were "spring making." "The 
Crater" was a frightful affair, and should, it appears 
to me, have been prevented. We knew they were 
mining. Our shaft had been sunk and short 
galleries run out. Their working parties could be 
heard. Should we not have countermined actively 
and fought their men off in their own galleries? 
However, it was not done, and the "blow up," con- 
sidered only barely possible, was upon us. When 
it came it was all that the enemy could wish. His 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 271 

plans were excellent, but miscarried by the conduct 
of one or more of his leading officers. The crater 
was at once filled with their men, many negroes 
among them — negroes who, as usual, primed with 
whiskey, had been pushed to the front and into the 
breach, but support failed them. 

Then came the Confederates' great work of 
destroying these men and recovering their mutilated 
line. Mahone did brilliant service. His division 
of five brigades was thrown at the invaders, and 
with other forces seized the "hole," captured or 
killed the unfortunates in it, and the day was ours 
with the works and integrity of the line restored. 

I had heard much of this remarkable fight from 
the Georgia Brigade (it had been very conspicuous 
in it) that I took command of some days after. 

This amusing story was told me by one of its men. 
Exhausted in the crater fight, he sank wearily on a 
log for a short rest. It moved gently and an old- 
fashioned negro's voice came from the log-like 
darky, "Please, Marster, don't shoot; I'se doin' 
nuttin'." The rascal had doubtless been one of the 
first in the crater, wild with liquor; but the South- 
erner was merciful and sent him to the rear. 

Of course the men on both sides behind the works, 
so close sometimes, got tired of "potting" at each 
other, and taking a rest became altogether too 
friendly. Firing would cease and individuals and 
small parties appear in front bartering and chaffing 
with the boys in blue. 

Our tobacco was always good for coffee and a 
Northern paper. It got to be too familiar and led 
to desertions of our men. Their rations were of the 



272 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

poorest (one-half pound of bacon and three-quarters 
of a pound of cornmeal), their clothing and shoes 
worn and unfit for the field, and their work and 
duties of the hardest on our attenuated lines. Reliefs 
were few and far between. No wonder they some- 
times weakened to better themselves, as they sup- 
posed, and stayed with the fat-jowled, well-clad, 
coddled up masses opposite them. But we had to 
stop the desertions at any price, so at night steady, 
continuous musketry firing was ordered, sweeping 
the glacis in front of our entrenchments. It cost a 
lot of lead and powder, but did something in holding 
back the weaklings in our command. 

The enemy, nothing loth, returned the fire, and 
were good enough to send plenty of their own lead. 
There was considerable to be gathered during the 
day, and this got my friend. Gen. E. P. Alexander, 
into trouble. He was a many-sided character — an 
engineer of the highest abilities, an artillerist of 
great distinction, a good reconnoitering ofiicer and 
an enthusiastic sportsman besides. In the early days 
of the war I one day met him, mounted as usual on 
a very sorry, doubtful-looking beast, with a pair of 
enormous holsters on his saddle-horn. "And what 
have you there, Alexander?" I asked, thinking 
possibly of some good edibles. "These," he said, 
and drew out his long telescope for reconnaissance — 
a very powerful glass — and from the other an 
enormous old-fashioned horse-pistol of immense 
calibre, some tiny cubes of lead, cut from bullets, 
and a pinch or two of gimpowder. "Quail," he said, 
"are eating up this country and I like them. This 
old pistol gives me many a mess of birds." At 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER , 273 

Petersburg his only want for his private gunninsj 
was lead to melt into small shot, and gathering some 
(after workmg his big gun) he received an unex- 
pected contnbution-a bullet in his shoulder, hot 
from the enerny, which made him a very uncom- 
lortable wound. 



CHAPTER XXXIV 
Longstreet's Return — Farewell to Lee 

Return of Longstreet — Am promoted brigadier-general — Part- 
ing with the First Corps — Report to A. P. Hill and 
Mahone — Sketches — Assume command of brigade of 
Georgians — its staff — Drill and exercises — Laying out a 
camp — General Lee's encouragement — Want of field 
officers — Captain H. H, Perry — Mahone's bread ovens — 
Christmas., 1864 — Sherman's march in Georgia — Grant's 
Virginia strategy — Our division moves out in bitter cold — 
Demonstration on our extreme right against the rail- 
road — Brigade forms line — No close firing — Enemy rejoins 
his main command — Received a slight woundr-The return 
to camp — Its bad condition in our absence — Valuable boots 
burnt in bivouac — In February again ordered out to right — 
Serious collision with enemy in force at Hatcher's Run — 
General Pegram killed — Am shot in lung and borne from 
the field — Moved to Richmond and thence to Colonel 
Watts's, in southwest Virginia for convalescence — My 
recovery — Marriage of Doctor Sorrel — At Lynchburg — 
Hear of Lee's surrender — Take to the mountains — Again 
at Colonel Watts's — Hunter and Crook — Homeward 
bound — Lady Godiva — Farewell to Lee and the Army of 
Northern Virginia. 

^ It was in October, our corps (two divisions) being 
on the north side, that we had the happiness of wel- 
coming our chief back to his command. 

His right arm was quite paralyzed and useless. 

He had taught himself to write legibly and easily 
with his left. Following the advice of his doctor, 
he was forever pulling at the disabled arm to bring 
back its life and action. He succeeded, for, though 
never strong, its use was partially restored in later 
years and his pen went back to it. 

I was with him but a few days. My commission 
as brigadier-general came unexpectedly, a note from 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 275 

my friend Burton Harrison, the President's Secre- 
tary, to the effect that it had been signed, reaching 
me the evening before. This was the first inkHng I 
had of the promotion. Elsewhere it has been told 
how it came about, and I began preparing to 
move, my orders being to report to Lieut.-Gen. A. P. 
Hill for command in Mahone's division. Hill's 
corps was on the south side in front of Petersburg. 
Lieut.-Col. O. Latrobe succeeded me as A. A. G. 
and chief of staff ; an excellent assignment. A bri- 
gadier going to an organized command carries no 
staff with him. That is attached to the brigade, 
not to the general. He has one appointment, that of 
A. D. C. (captain's rank), personal to himself. 
There were many applications for the place, but 
sending for Spencer, private, Fort Alabama, my 
sergeant of couriers for several years. I almost 
floored the modest fellow by asking if he should 
like to go with me as captain. *'Of course" he 
should, and did, and was part and parcel of that 
brigade of Georgians in no time until Appomattox 
dispersed us. I had made no mistake in him; an 
exceedingly useful staff officer. 

Few can know how painful it was to part with 
my corps and its chief. I had started with them 
at the opening battle, handled its growing battalions 
into brigades and divisions, and shared its battles, 
expeditions, and campaigns; was proud of its re- 
nown ; was known to officers and men of every regi- 
ment and had, I believe, their confidence and respect. 
It was much to give up, but the duty called, and on 
a fine morning I mounted with my A. D. C. to cross 
the river and take up my new billet. I shall be 
excused, I hope, if a little homesickness is confessed. 






116 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

My comrades did not let me go easily. The night 
before there was a farewell party of many officers 
at headquarters. A goodly quantity of apple-toddy 
was consumed, but not to hurt, and the party, 
General Longstreet with us for a time, was full of 
feeling, touching me keenly by its spontaneous 
demonstration. 

Here ended the staff officer's duties, but his recol- 
lections will yet carry him a little way forward 
while commanding his brigade. The end was fast 
approaching, and my concluding jottings seem to 
belong to what has gone before. 

Turning my back, then, for the first time on the 
glorious old First Army Corps, I reported next day 
at A. P. Hill's quarters. Nothing could exceed 
his kindness in receiving me; it continued all 
through my service in his corps and I had every 
evidence of the good feeling of this distinguished 
officer. I was to report next to General Mahone 
for command of his Georgia brigade. This remark- 
able man was at breakfast when I entered and imme- 
diately had me seated with him. 

Maj.-Gen. William Mahone was a Virginian, 
about forty years of age. His appearance arrested 
attention. Very small both in height and frame, 
he seemed a mere atom with little flesh. His wife 
said "none." When he was shot (slightly) she was 
told it was only a flesh wound. "Now I know it is 
serious," said the good lady, "for William has no 
flesh whatever." Sallow of feature, sharp of eye, 
and very active in movement was the General; in 
dress quite unconventional, he affected jackets rather 
than coats, and on a certain hot summer's day that 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 277 

I recall he was seen, a major-general indeed, but 
wonderfully accoutered! A plaited brown linen 
jacket, buttoned to trousers, of same material, like a 
boy's; topped off by a large Panama straw hat of 
the finest and most beautiful texture, met our eyes, 
and I must say he looked decidedly comfortable. 
But not always was he thus attired. He could be 
strictly uniformed when he chose. 

He had been president of the railroad between 
Petersburg and Norfolk, and retaining the office, 
managed the road all through the campaigns. 
Finally the enemy captured his wagon-load of rail- 
road papers, records, etc., and Mahone was raging. 
It was that railway, when hostilities ended, that he 
combined with others connecting and gained a start 
into the political power and mischief he exercised 
in Virginia. His brigade of Virginians had not 
seen much hard fighting until the Wilderness, and 
there they did well. It was at Petersburg, in com- 
mand of his division of five brigades from Virginia, 
Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida that he 
justly won great reputation for brilliant achieve- 
ments in defense of the beleaguered city. He was 
undoubtedly a general of very uncommon ability. > 

While we sat, I enjoyed his breakfast. A higa 
liver, nothing could excel it, and he was never with- 
out the materials. A cow was always by his quar- 
ters and laying hens cackled loud, besides many 
luxuries. Delicate in physique, he had to nourish 
himself carefully. 

I received his orders to take command of my 
Georgians, and mounted on my way to them. Ma- 
hone was said to be irritable and in some instances 



278 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

tyrannical, but for myself I had invariably nothing 
but consideration, and often good help from him. 

The brigade was in trenches far on the right, not 
in very close touch with the enemy, and was having 
a quiet time of it with Col. William Gibson in com- 
mand. He was well known in Georgia politics for 
some years, and a very brave officer; repeatedly 
wounded, but without discipline or organization. 
Leave of absence was allowed him to return to 
Georgia. 

On assuming command. Captain Evans, a line 
officer detailed as A. A. G., supposing that I was 
bringing an officer of the staff department with me, 
suggested that probably I should wish him to rejoin 
his regiment. 

But I wanted him with me. He had long filled 
the post, was acquainted with almost every officer 
and man of the brigade, and was a brave and quali- 
fied officer. The command consisted of the Second, 
Twenty-second, Forty-eighth, and Sixty-fourth 
Regiments and Second and Tenth battalions, Geor- 
gia Infantry. The Sixty-fourth and Tenth battal- 
ions were late levies and had not made the great 
reputation of the others, while serving under Wright 
and Girardy. The latter was a most promising offi- 
cer, promoted from captain in the brigade, and was 
killed at the head of it two weeks after taking 
command. 

The Third Georgia enjoyed a reputation excelled 
by none in the army. 

My first thought was to get supplies of clothing 
and shoes for the men and have the command re- 
lieved from trench duty, to which it was entitled by 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 279 

the length of service in them. Our work strengthen- 
ing the defenses always went on, and there was no 
time for much-needed drill and military exercise. 

General Lee, taking his daily ride about the lines, 
came on me while the working parties were digging 
and spading. His greeting was, "Good-morning, 
my young friend; I feel sorry for you." "Why so, 
General?" "Because you have so much to do," 
answered the commander, the gleaming white teeth 
showing his pleasant humor as he continued his ride. 
He generally had some such words to let one know 
he expected a lot of work out of him. 

I was not unsuccessful as to my wants. A fair 
quantity of supplies were issued and orders came for 
relief from the trenches and to pitch good winter 
camps a little in the rear. It was great joy to the 
troops. 

A good piece of woods was selected and a fine 
camp of winter huts laid out and built according to 
regulations, with battalion fronts and company 
streets and all the rest in good soldierly form. Once 
settled, drill became the order of the day in good 
weather. There were fine open fields near by fur- 
nishing good ground, and company drill, battalion 
drill, and evolutions of the line by the brigade were 
followed up vigorously, as well as all military exer- 
cises and street duties practised and perfected. The 
men were in much need of the instruction. Decided 
neglect in these respects had fallen on this fine bri- 
gade after the stern and gallant Wright left it, and 
the good effects of the efforts now working out were 
soon apparent. 



280 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

The greatest want was in field officers; so many 
had been wounded and left with the enemy at Gettys- 
burg, besides others sick at home or in the hospital, 
that the regiments suffered thereby. 

I wrote urgently and personally to Mr. Ould, our 
commissioner for exchange, to get back to me cer- 
tain officers whom I wanted badly. He managed 
to get only one, Colonel Snead, of the Third Georgia, 
and him I was glad to have. 

The brigade was well equipped with staff officers 
of the subsistence, quartermaster, ordnance, and 
medical departments. The commissary. Major 
Hughes, an excellent fellow, was the same who had 
sold me those two sorry mounts that broke down 
in the Chickamauga Campaign. On reporting, he 
evidently thought I might recall him unfavorably 
and was a bit uneasy, until shown that no ill feelings 
were harbored against him. In horse dealing it is 
"caveat emptor" — the buyer must look sharply to 
himself. 

It was not long before Capt. H. H. Perry, of the 
Adjutant-General's Department, was transferred 
from Benning's brigade to report to me as A. A. G. 
There being two of that department with Benning 
and none with me. Perry was summarily transferred 
without any question. He had always performed 
inspection duty, and preferring it, was assigned to 
that branch of his department in my brigade, thus 
retaining Evans as A. A. G. ''Old Rock" (General 
Benning) always believed I was at the bottom of 
the whole business and never forgave me. 

I was surely fortunate in securing so excellent a 
staff officer. Highly educated, experienced with 



confederate: staff officer 281 

troops, active and resourceful, he soon became prom- 
inent and strong in the brigade as well as attached 
to his brigadier. He is still with the living in Geor- 
gia, numbered among my dear friends. 

At times the soldier's ration was execrable, really 
unfit. Some bacon from Nassau was coming 
through the blockade, and it would not be incredible 
for the blockading fleet to allow it to come through in 
hope of poisoning us. A third of a pound of this 
stuff and some corn-meal was often the full extent 
of the daily ration. 

Sometimes we got better allowances of wheat 
flour, and then General Mahone took a notion to 
improve on it by baking. The brigade commissaries 
were ordered to set up ovens — plenty of bricks and 
material lying about — and issue the flour baked in 
good loaves. There is, too, a slight gain in weight 
in baking. But the men would none of such food, 
it was too light and wholesome. Their stomachs 
wanted the flour stirred with grease in a skillet and 
cooked solid and hard. When a chunk was eaten 
it stayed with the soldier and kept his appetite partly 
appeased. But these new-fangled loaves — so easily 
digested ! Hunger came again, almost before finish- 
ing one of them. Not for Johnny Reb was this 
thing; he wanted, like Tommy Atkins, "some bulk 
in his inside," and one fine morning Mahone's ovens 
were found completely demolished. The soldiers 
took again to their old-time toothsome and staying 
morsels out of the skillet. 

Christmas of 1864 was now at hand. The birth of 
the Prince of Peace was given such honor amid the 
warlike scenes of the siege as our small resources 



282 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

permitted. Some boxes came from loving hearts at 
home, the commissaries did all they could, and the 
Army of Northern Virginia actually feasted, trying 
to forget for an hour or two the perils and hardships 
that beset it. 

At Christmas General Sherman was in Savannah, 
his march to the sea a complete success. My people 
at home suffered no great annoyance. Sherman as a 
young lieutenant had shared my father's hospitality 
and had not forgotten it. The old gentleman, how- 
ever, persistently fastened on him the crime of burn- 
ing his comfortable country establishment in Vir- 
ginia. 

Sherman's march and other movements in the 
West were in Grant's strategic combination for the 
destruction of Lee's army and should be considered 
in estimating his abilities outside of operating in 
Virginia. Indeed, it might be said that Sherman 
contributed to the fall of Richmond almost as much 
as did the Army of the Potomac. 

Early in January it came on to be very cold, and 
during the worst of it our division was ordered out 
to meet a threatening demonstration against our 
right at a considerable distance. My brigade 
marched instantly, our camp being occupied by Gen. 
C. A. Evans's Georgia Brigade to fill our position on 
the line. Evans was in luck to get his men into 
such well-prepared camps. We moved rapidly and 
in two days came up with a large force of the enemy, 
formed in line and prepared for battle. It appears, 
however, that he was not ready this time, or that he 
overestimated the Confederate strength sent against 
him. Some shelling was indulged in and small-arm 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 283 

long-distance firing. It seems that but two or three 
of us were touched, among them myself. I was sit- 
ting on the white mare (my other mount gone sud- 
denly lame) in front of the line, with no thought of 
firing then, so distant was the enemy, — quite out of 
range, — when a long-range rifle sent a bullet through 
many folds of thick clothing and striking on the hip 
bone knocked me out of the saddle. It proved to be 
nothing serious. The ball had glanced off, stiffen- 
ing and bruising the leg rather painfully, so that 
remounting after some bandaging, it stuck out like 
a wooden leg. I did not think that just such a hit 
could unhorse me. 

My men said the brigade was unlucky for its 
commanders. General Wright had been repeatedly 
and dangerously wounded; several colonels com- 
manding, wounded or killed, and General Girardy 
killed. I began to think there might be something in 
it. The enemy took up the march, and leisurely 
rejoining their main body to the right, Mahone's 
division began moving for the camps just vacated. 
It continued very cold, much ice and snow lying 
about the roads. At our last bivouac some miles 
from camp I suffered a loss, nothing less than a 
noble pair of riding-boots, a present, kept for extra 
work. 

At the bivouac the negro servant had taken them 
out of the blanket roll and failed to replace them. 
As soon as they were missed, back he went and re- 
turned with the precious leathers burned to a crisp ! 
Our campfires had spread through the forest. At 
this period boots cost five or six hundred dollars of 
our currency, if to be had at any price. 



284 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

On starting back I sent word to General Evans of 
our approach so that my camps could be vacated in 
good order. The men were utterly disgusted and 
indignant when they re-entered their quarters. They 
were little like the well-kept camps they had tempo- 
rarily vacated. Evans's officers had not properly 
restrained the careless, reckless soldiers. I made 
vigorous complaint at headquarters, but at this date 
there was perhaps too much else to think of. Gen- 
eral Evans is now chief of the veterans in Georgia 
and held in great respect by their dwindling numbers. 

Mahone's other brigades were efficiently com- 
manded by Finnegan, Florida ; Harris, Mississippi ; 
Weisiger, Virginia; Sanders, Alabama. 

In the first days of February another demonstra- 
tion was made against Lee's extreme right, this time 
in great force and meaning business. Our division 
and other troops with cavalry at once pushed out to 
meet it, with Finnegan in command of division 
(Mahone was absent, sick). The collision came at 
Hatcher's Run by some preliminary skirmishing on 
February 5th, a sanguinary action on the 6th, fol- 
lowed up by the enemy feebly on the 7th. On the 
6th, my Georgians were hotly engaged in the after- 
noon and made a handsome, successful charge, which 
dislodged and forced back the Federals. The contest 
went on until darkness stopped it, and the night 
passed entrenching where we stood, caring for 
wounded and burying dead. 

Early next morning the enemy, driving back 
my pickets, got too close to us, and a rifleman put 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 285 

a bullet through my right lung, smashing the ribs 
front and rear. I was down this time for good, I 
supposed, the breath gushing through the orifices 
instead of its natural channel. The surgeon, Dr. 
Wood, however, soon relieved that by plastering the 
holes, and sent me back that night. The roads 
being frozen and very rough, my brave fellows made 
two relief gangs and bore their commander by litter 
on their shoulders eight miles to a small shanty, 
where rest was taken. 

All through the night, while passing stray troops 
on the road, I could hear the question, "Who have 
you there ?" "General Sorrel." "Is he badly hurt ?" 
"Yes, mortally wounded." The soldier habitually 
takes a gloomy view of things. 

Very soon I was in comfortable quarters near 
Petersburg, in the hands of my excellent brigade 
surgeon, Dr. Sampson Pope, and progressed so well 
that in a fortnight I could be moved to Doctor Sor- 
rel's quarters in Richmond, under treatment of 
my friend Dr. J. B. Reid, and with that ended the 
staff officer's soldiering. A few closing words will 
bring me to the end of these "Recollections" nearly 
forty years behind us. 

My wound healing satisfactorily. Doctor Sorrel 
proposed in March taking me to "The Oaklands," the 
beautiful estate in Roanoke County of Colonel Wm. 
Watts, who had kindly sent me an invitation to visit 
him. He was the invalided colonel of the Twenty- 
eighth Virginia, of the First Corps, a fine of^cer and 
most hospitable, the leading man of the county. To 
him we went, the change being very beneficial. Then 



286 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

the railroad station was Big Lick, a post-office, shop, 
and tavern. It is now grown to be Roanoke, a pros- 
perous city of 25,000. Colonel Watts's widowed 
sister, Mrs. Rives, presided over the delightful old 
Virginia establishment. Her lovely character won 
all hearts. The stately figure and attractive 
features were known and admired widely over the 
countryside. To me she was kindness itself, and no 
marvel is it that I mended rapidly. 

There was an engagement of a few months' stand- 
ing between Doctor Sorrel and Mrs. Rives, and soon 
after our coming the uncertain future was consid- 
ered. They decided to wed without longer waiting, 
and the ceremony, quite private, was performed at 
the residence, myself in full uniform as the Doctor's 
best man, propped on my feet by the dignified, silver- 
haired black major-domo. 

While in this part of the country I heard much 
about Hunter's expedition into it the previous year 
and the devastation he had brought in the region 
round about. Truly Maj.-Gen. David Hunter, of 
the United States Army, was a torch bearer if noth- 
ing else. He had no military distinction, but had 
served against the Indians, it is said, with the same 
cruelties it was now his delight to apply to non- 
combatant dwellers in southwest Virginia and the 
head of the Shenandoah Valley. No property within 
reach of his destroying hand seemed safe from him. 
His fame lay not in the soldier's hard-fought battles, 
but in burning farmers' houses and barns. The ex- 
tensive schools at Lexington aroused his hate and 
were laid in ashes by his torch. 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 287 

General Crook, the fine soldier then serving with 
him, said, "He would have burned the Natural 
Bridge could he have compassed it." Marvel it is 
that Hunter did not blow it up. He was, however, 
beaten off by Early's forces and the home guards, 
and the country cleared of that devastator. There 
was little more heard of him as a soldier. 

Maj.-Gen. George Crook was altogether a differ- 
ent character. He was a soldier of high training 
and tried courage, making no war on women and 
children, houses and barns. 

Some time later, one of our daring rangers, 
McNeil, with a small following, achieved a bold 
exploit. While Crook was commanding a depart- 
ment at Cumberland, Md., the ranger penetrated 
many miles within the blue lines, took the General 
out of bed, mounted him well, and landed his distin- 
guished prisoner safely in Richmond. 

There Doctor Sorrel, who had served with him 
in the old Army, called to see to his comforts. 
Crook as a thorough-going Indian fighter was not 
without some admiration for the way McNeil 
had gathered him in. "But, Sorrel," said he, "I 
shall get even with that fellow at his own work. 
Just as soon as I get out of this my commission will 
drop for a few weeks, while I raise a hundred men 
with whom I undertake to beat Master McNeil at 
his own game." 

Such was perhaps his intention then, but, ex- 
changed soon after, there was other and more 
important work awaiting this gallant and respected 
officer. 



288 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

Early in April, after grateful farewells to my host 
and new sister, we started to rejoin the army. At 
Lynchburg came to us the accounts of the surrender 
at Appomattox, with all the pathetic, harrowing 
details attaching to that event; the feeling of the 
soldiers, their overflowing affection for Lee and 
sympathy with him and his own hidden but over- 
whelming grief — I pass them by. My brigade was 
on hand in good shape, with Captain Perry looking 
after it, and paroled stronger than any brigade in 
the army. ( See Appendix. ) 

The commandant at Lynchburg, General Lomax, 
placed at my disposal an ambulance and mules to 
get out of reach of the Union forces. We could not 
yet realize that the war was ended with the life of 
Lee's army. I took to the mountains for some days, 
and then finding things really ended and my trouble- 
some wound breaking out afresh, ventured again on 
Colonel Watts's hospitality. It was as generous 
as the day. But it was time to move, and after 
farewell to hospitable Oaklands the Doctor and T 
started on our return home. The rails w^ere suffi- 
ciently repaired to take us to Lynchburg, where we 
were paroled by the United States officer. Between 
us we had just fifteen dollars good money, and it 
came to me in this way. When I was last in Lynch- 
burg, as already described, one of our quartermas- 
ters pressed on me $20 in gold, four half-eagles; 
"A barrel of Confederate money not good," as he 
said, "for the price of a dinner." 

Some time after I came up with a young Mary- 
land cavalryman making his way back to Baltimore. 
He had no coat or jacket, although the rest of him 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 289 

was good, and I wanted to know why. "Well," 
said young Latrobe (it was my friend's brother), 
"my horse wanted a set of shoes. The farrier would 
not look at my money, but took the jacket, and I 
got my shoes.'' It was quite certain the young fel- 
low would part with his remaining outfit, piece by 
piece, with the same easy nonchalance, if need be, 
and I insisted on his taking one of my half-eagles. 
But for that the "Peeping Toms" of Baltimore might 
possibly have seen a new Godiva, "clothed only with 
chastity," riding through their streets fresh from 
the Southern armies. Their blushes and the young 
cavalryman's were saved by that golden half-eagle. 
From Lynchburg to Richmond the route was 
tedious and wearying. It was partly by rail, partly 
in an army wagon, and partly on foot. On arriving 
at the Confederate capital we were amid the ruins 
of the great fire that nearly destroyed it. The army 
of occupation was in force, everywhere the Union 
army filled one with wonder. It was like the ant 
in numbers, and I really could not take in its un- 
stinted equipment in wagons, ambulances, mules, 
draught horses, light artillery, and horse furniture, 
all apparently new and of the best class for field 
work. The contrast with our own inadequate equip- 
ment was very decided, and still greater was the 
splendor of their officers, mounts and uniforms, and 
the good clothing of the soldiers, with what on our 
part had contented us. In Richmond, nursing our 
dwindling cash, we found a frugal but cheerful 
hospitality while preparing for the next move to 
Baltimore, where we were sure of meeting my good 
father's provision for us. My weak condition would 



290 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

not permit me making the journey home on horse- 
back ; it must be by sea. 

At Richmond we took the oath, as prescribed, to 
the United States Government, the courteous Fed- 
eral officer asking pleasantly if it "tasted bad?'* 
This done we hoped to get a permit to leave by boat 
for Baltimore, but were refused. No movements of 
Confederate officers, except Mary landers returning, 
were suffered in that direction. The decision was then 
forced on us that we must go, **coute que coute/' 
It was managed successfully with some little risk. 
By the help of friends we were smuggled on board 
just as the boat was starting. The Doctor was in 
mufti and I had doffed as much military attire as I 
could. We kept very quiet and secluded on the main 
deck of the boat as she glided down the river of so 
many warlike scenes of the preceding years ! past 
frowning Drewry's Bluff, past bristling Chappin's 
farm, City Point, Westover, and Harrison's Land- 
ing, Turkey Bend and Butler's Dutch Gap Canal — 
all saddening and depressing in the retrospect, cross- 
ing thoughts of the misty future. At the fortress 
a short stop was made, and then the voyage up the 
noble Chesapeake resumed. One of the coal passers 
here recognized me with a wide, astonished grin. 
He was one of my brigade fellows, in now for a job 
at anything. The night was passed on the bay and 
could have been very comfortable with a trifle more 
cash. We had, however, just about enough to pay 
for passage, without bed or meals. So we stood out 
the long night and could provide some small refresh- 
ments. When morning came we were moored to the 
wharf, and I soon found my good Baltimore rela- 



CONFEDERATE STAFF OFFICER 291 

tives most hospitably inclined, and our troubles for 
the time were done with. 

There were many Confederate officers and soldiers 
about the city, all watched quite closely by the Fed- 
ral authorities. General Hancock was in command 
of the department, and from his adjutant-general I 
received an order to report in person. Upon so 
doing I was questioned as to my reasons for being in 
Baltimore and my intentions. Upon explaining why 
I was returning home by that route and that I should 
have to go to New York to find a steamer for Savan- 
nah, he was civil and obliging; allowed a stay of a 
week in Baltimore ; but I was required to report once 
in every twenty-four hours. The next day this con- 
siderate officer dispensed with such visits, adding, 
"You shall not. General, be troubled in any way 
while you are stopping here." Here Doctor Sorrel 
left me. Deciding to defer his visit home, he re- 
turned at once to Virginia. A few days later I 
was in New York at the New York Hotel, Mr. 
Cranston the proprietor, and for years past, as then, 
the resort of everything Southern. There were many 
officers in the hotel, some I suspect by Cranston's 
good nature and kindness. After a visit to some 
relatives and friends, who had only thought of me 
as one dead, I took passage for Savannah on a small, 
crowded, most uncomfortable little steamer. The 
rough voyage was safely made, and I landed on my 
own shores in dear old Georgia, greeted by kindred 
and friends, with hands outstretched in a hearty wel- 
come home. 

And now these recollections approach their close. 
There are many more thronging, pulsing memories 



292 RECOLLECTIONS OF A 

that could interest, perhaps instruct. What is here 
gathered has been an inexpressible comfort and occu- 
pation in the colorless hours of recent tedious con- 
valescence, and could be extended, but the parting 
word must be spoken. 

It is farewell to the Army of Northern Virginia 
and its ever-glorious commander. 

His name, his fame shall forever live ! His sword, 
unstained, be ever a soldier's shining light and bright 
example ! 

"Ah Muse ! You dare not claim 
A nobler man than he, 
Nor nobler man hath less of blame 
Nor blameless man hath purer name, 
Nor purer name hath grander fame, 
Nor fame, another Lee \" 

His army incomparable holds, after long years, 
the abiding love of its surviving veterans. Who 
that marched with it, fought with it, took part in its 
victories and its defeats, shared its sufferings and its 
joys, shall ever be deaf when its deeds are sung or 
mute when ring out its plaudits ! 

For my part, when the time comes to cross the 
river like the others, I shall be found asking at the 
gates above, "Where is the Army of Northern 
Virginia ? For there I make my camp." 



APPENDIX 

''Headquarters Near Bean's Station, 

''December 17, 1863. 
"Special Orders No. 2J. 

"Major-General L. McLaws is relieved from fur- 
ther duty with this army, and will proceed to Au- 
gusta, Georgia, from which place he will report by 
letter to the adjutant and inspector-general. He 
will turn over the command of the division to the 
senior brigadier present. 

"By command of Lieut.-General Longstreet. 

"G. M. Sorrel, 
"Lieut.-Col. and Assistant Adjutant-General. 

"Major-General McLaws, 
"Confederate States Army." 



"Camp on Bean's Station Gap Road, 

"December 17th, 1863. 
"Lieut.-Col. Sorrel, 

''Assistant Adjutant-General. 
"I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
Special Orders No. 27 from your headquarters, of 
this date, relieving me from further duty with this 
army. If there is no impropriety in making inquiry, 
and I cannot imagine there is, I respectfully request 
to be informed of the particular reason for the order. 
"Very respectfully, 

"L. McLaws, 
''Major-General.'' 



294 appendix 

"Headquarters Near Bean's Station, 

"December 17th, 1863. 
"Major-General McLaws, 

"Confederate States Army. 

"General: I have the honor to acknowledge the 
receipt of your note of to-day, asking for the par- 
ticular reason for the issue of the order relieving you 
from duty with this army. 

"In reply I am directed to say that throughout the 
campaign on which we are engaged, you have exhib- 
ited a want of confidence in the efforts and plans 
which the commanding general has thought proper 
to adopt, and he is apprehensive that this feeling will 
extend more or less to the troops under your 
command. 

"Under these circumstances the commanding gen- 
eral has felt that the interest of the public service 
would be advanced by your separation from him, and 
as he could not himself leave, he decided upon the 
issue of the order which you have received. 

"I have the honor to be, general, with great 
respect, 

"G. M. Sorrel, 

"Lieut. -Col. and Assistant Adjutant-General.'' 



From The Savannah News, 1899. 

"During the siege of Petersburg, Va., there was a 
severe combat at Hatcher's Run, resisting one of 
Grant's attacks on Lee's right flank. 

"Brig.-Gen. John Pegram was killed and Brig.- 
Gen. Sorrel was, for some time, thought to be mor- 
tally wounded. 



APPENDIX 295 

"The action took place on February 6, 1865. A 
time-stained clipping from the New York Herald, a 
few days later, gives ^Sketches of the Dead Rebel 
Generals/ with some detail, indicating considerable 
acquaintance with the Confederate personnel. 

"We print what it had to say of our townsman, 
who, still with us, is thus permitted to read his own 
obituary from the Herald's columns : 



" The rebel Gen. Sorrel, reported seriously 
wounded in the battle on Hatcher's Run, has been 
permitted to enjoy his rank but a short time. He 
has been but lately appointed to the rank and 
assigned to duty. 

" *Gen. Sorrel was a native of Georgia, and, at the 
commencement of the war, was a teller in the Cen- 
tral Railroad Bank in Savannah. He had no mili- 
tary education. To his established character as a 
quiet, taciturn business man and accountant and to 
some influence from an extensive family to which 
he belongs, he owes his appointment on the staff of 
Gen. Longstreet at the beginning of the war. He 
served in the capacity of assistant adjutant-general 
to Gen. Longstreet, at Bull Run, July 21, 1861, was 
wounded at Antietam, September 17, 1862, and 
since followed the varied fortunes of Longstreet. 
He has been advanced from a lieutenancy to a lieu- 
tenant-colonelcy in the adjutant-general's depart- 
ment of the rebel army. 

" 'During the battle of the Wilderness, fought in 
May, Lieut.-Col. Sorrel displayed great gallantry 
and evinced much ability in directing and managing 



296 APPENDIX 

a division whose commander had fallen, and of 
which he was placed in command by Longstreet. 
Generals Lee and Longstreet awarded him high 
praise for his conduct, and recommended him for 
promotion. He was in consequence appointed briga- 
dier-general, November i, 1864, and assigned to the 
command of the brigade formerly commanded by 
Gen. Wright. In relieving him from duty as his 
assistant adjutant-general. Gen. Longstreet paid the 
following compliment to young Sorrel : 

" ' "General Order No. 1 5 — Headquarters First 
Army Corps, November 4, 1864. Col. G. M. Sorrel, 
assistant adjutant-general, having been promoted to 
the rank of brigadier-general, and assigned to the 
command of a brigade in the Third Corps, is relieved 
from duty as assistant adjutant-general of this corps. 
The loss of this officer to the First Corps, with which 
he has been so permanently connected since its or- 
ganization, will be severely felt. Distinguished 
alike for gallantry in the field and for energy and 
skill in the administration of his department, his 
value cannot be over-estimated. He will carry with 
him to his new command, so richly won, a sure 
promise of success in the record of the past. 

" * "By command of Lieut.-Gen. Longstreet. 

"^"Official: 

" ' "O. Latrobe, 
''" *" ''Assistant Adjutant-General." 

" The rebel papers of February 9th report Gen. 
Sorrel dead of the wounds received on the 6th inst.' " 



APPENDIX 297 

From an address delivered by Comrade John R. 
Turner before A. P. Hill Camp of Confederate 
Veterans of Petersburg, Va., on the evening of 
March 3, 1892. 

"My letter to General Sorrel I mailed to Savan- 
nah, Ga., and was as follows : 

" Tetersburg, Va., January 13, 1892. 
" 'Gen. G. M. Sorrel, 
" 'Savannah, Ga. 

" 'Dear General : Being anxious to know if 
your recollection and mine accorded, as to certain 
movements made at the battle of the Wilderness, 
May 6th, 1864, in which we both participated, I 
take the liberty of addressing you this communica- 
tion, and hope (if not trespassing too much upon 
your time) you will do me the kindness to favor 
me with a reply. 

" 'You will remember Mahone's brigade of An- 
derson's division was quartered near Madison Run 
Station. We broke camp on the morning, I think, 
of the 4th, and bivouacked near Rapidan Station 
that night. In the early morning of the 6th we 
made a forced march to the battlefield, which we 
reached about 10 o'clock. 

" 'Mahone's brigade was ordered very soon after- 
wards to the right in the Wilderness. After going 
some distance through the thicket, we encountered 
the enemy apparently bivouacking, and little expect- 
ing any attack from that direction. They fled pell- 
mell before us, leaving their light camp equipage 
scattered in every direction, making scarcely any 



298 APPENDIX 

resistance until they reached the Orange Plank 
Road ; when, having a natural fortification, strength- 
ened hurriedly by them, they stoutly resisted us. 
Just at this point you dashed up to the front of my 
regiment, the Twelfth Virginia, and approaching 
our color-bearer, Benj. H. May (as gallant a sol- 
dier as ever carried a flag or shouldered a musket, 
and who was killed at Spottsylvania Court House 
the 1 2th of May), asked him for his colors to lead 
the charge. He refused to give up his colors, but 
said: "We will follow you." With great enthu- 
siasm we followed you in the direction of the Plank 
Road. The enemy broke and fled before us. I re- 
member seeing you then dash with great speed up 
the road in the direction, I suppose, of General 
Longstreet, to inform him that the way was clear. 
Our color-bearer, in the excitement of the moment, 
failed to observe that the other regiments of the 
brigade had halted at the Plank Road. We became 
detached and passed over the road forty or fifty 
yards before halting. Our colonel, D. A. Weisiger, 
observing that we were in advance of the brigade, 
ordered us to fall back in line with the brigade. 
In doing so the other regiments, mistaking us for 
the enemy, fired into us, killing and wounding sev- 
eral of our men, and I always thought the same 
volley killed General Jenkins and wounded General 
Longstreet, this apparently putting an end to all 
operations for the day, as there seemed to be very 
little done afterwards during the day. 

" T had the pleasure of a short conversation with 
General Longstreet returning from Gettysburg three 
years ago, and he told me that, while he knew he 



APPENDIX 299 

was wounded by his own men, he never knew exactly 
how it occurred. He said everything was working 
beautifully up to this point, and what seemed to be 
an opportunity for a brilliant victory was lost by this 
unfortunate circumstance. 

" *I have often thought of your bravery and gal- 
lant bearing as you led us through the woods up to 
the Plank Road. I feel that I would like to know 
with certainty whether or not my recollections are 
correct as to the part you took in that charge. 

" 'Wishing you a long life, much happiness and 
great prosperity, I am very truly, your comrade, 

" 'John R. Turner.' 



((rp 



To this letter General Sorrel replied as follows : 

" 'New York, January 19, 1892. 
" 'Lee's Birthday. 
" 'John R. Turner, Esq., 

" 'A. P. Hill Camp, C. V., 
" 'Petersburg, Va. 
"'Dear Sir: Your letter of January 14th was 
forwarded to me from Savannah, and I am very 
glad to hear from you. The events you describe 
are so long ago, that one's memory may be pardoned 
if slightly treacherous as to details, but I may say 
at once that your recital of the incident and the 
movements of Mahone's brigade at the battle of the 
Wilderness conform accurately to my own recol- 
lection of it, excepting, of course, the too-partial 
and flattering view you take of my own personal 
service there. But I will give you briefly my own 
version of it, which really is near your own. 



300 APPENDIX 

" 'Longstreet's corps had to move at the earHest 
hour in the morning of the 6th of May, and arriving 
at the battlefield was just in time to be thrown across 
the Plank Road and check the enemy, whose attack 
had begun on A. P. Hill's corps. This of itself was 
a magnificent performance of the corps to form line 
in the dense thicket after a hasty march, in the 
midst of troops suddenly attacked and retiring from 
the front in disorder. Being done during the 
enemy's attack it displayed the steadiness character- 
istic of Longstreet's famous corps. This checked 
that attempt and for some time there was some 
quiet. It was then, too, you will recollect, that 
General Lee was about to lead the Texas Brigade 
into action, so threatening was the situation. He 
was almost forcibly stopped by his officers and the 
entreaties of the soldiers. It was soon after this 
that General Longstreet said to me that if I were to 
collect some troops over on the right, get them 
in good line and in touch with each other, and make 
a strong movement forward, swinging by the right, 
he felt sure a splendid success would follow. I pro- 
ceeded to follow out these directions, with full 
authority to control the movement. There were 
three brigades, in addition, perhaps, to other troops, 
that I succeeded in getting into good form and ready 
to move. These were Mahone's, Wofford's, and 
Anderson's. The movement soon began, at a given 
signal, our right swinging swiftly around, driving 
everything before it. The lines in front of us made 
some sharp resistance, but they were quickly over- 
come, and our troops, Mahone's brigade notably 
distinguished in the affair, rushed forward through 



APPENDIX 301 

the dense undergrowth, carrying everything before 
them. It was then that the incident occurred of 
which you speak, about poor Ben May. He was 
doing all that man could do with his colors, but 
seemed to be somewhat embarrassed by the bushes, 
and I thought perhaps I might help to get them 
forward, mounted as I was.'' As you say, he posi- 
tively refused to let them leave his own hands. I 
was filled with admiration of his splendid courage. 
I think it was on the 12th that poor May was shot, 
and I received from a member of the Twelfth Vir- 
ginia an affectionate message that he sent me. I 
have always remembered him as one of the bravest 
of Confederate soldiers. The Twelfth Virginia did 
splendid service that day, and the regiment and 
myself became great friends. Till the end of the 
war, whenever in marches or elsewhere I met it, 
I was always honored with its friendly greetings. 
As our troops reached the Plank Road, you will 
recollect that', a volley was given to the enemy, who 
were trying to rally on the opposite side. By this 
volley General Wadsworth and his horse (while try- 
ing to rally his men) were both killed, and his sol- 
diers could make no stand against us. Our rapid 
movements through the woods had disordered our 
line, as you correctly describe it. Leaving them for 
a moment, while recovering good order. I hastene4> 
to General Longstreet with a view to bringing up 
supports to follow up our splendid success. I met 
the General near by, Jenkins's brigade immediately 
behind him. He had heard the sound of our rifles, 
and, with the quick instinct of the general that he 
was, was following us up with a strong and power- 
ful support to pursue his victory. I had scarcely 



302 APPENDIX 

taken more than a few steps with him when a sud- 
den and unexpected fire, at first scattering, then 
heavier, broke out from our men. The General was 
shot down by my side, and at the same time General 
Jenkins^ one or two staff officers, and several cour- 
iers. I have never known accurately who started 
this fire; there is yet some confusion about it, but 
it was fatal, and had the effect, by disabling the 
General, of putting a stop to the heavy blow he 
was about inflicting on the disordered enemy. Later 
in the day, you will remember, w^e made another 
attack, rather more direct, with a strong force, on 
the enemy, who had got behind some entrench- 
ments; but we there sustained a repulse, and that 
about closed the principal features of the battle of 
the Wilderness on the 6th of May. 

" The importance of our flank attack, which I 
have described here so briefly, was not under-esti- 
mated by the enemy in his subsequent reports. The 
official report of the battle by General Grant, or his 
immediate subordinate, describes the tremendous 
attack of these three brigades, which turned his own 
left flank and nearly brought about a widespread 
disaster to the Federal army. I cannot but think 
it would have ended so, had not General Longstreet, 
in the flush of his success, and with ardent, fresh 
troops in hand, been struck down in the very act of 
delivering this blow. 

" T am sketching this off to you hastily, and 
entirely from memory, and while there may be some 
omissions or inaccuracies as to detail, I think the 
account is not far from wrong. 

" 'With best wishes, I am, yours very truly and 

^''^^^^^h> "'G.M. Sorrel.'" 



APPENDIX 303 

From Colonel Freemantle' s {Coldstream Guards) 
''Three Months in the Southern States." 

"30th June, Tuesday. — This morning- before 
marching from Chambersburg, General Longstreet 
introduced me to the Commander-in-Chief. General 
Lee is, almost without exception, the handsomest 
man of his age I ever saw. He is 56 years old, 
tall, broad shouldered, very well made, well set up, 
a thorough soldier in appearance, and his manners 
are most courteous and full of dignity. He is a 
perfect gentleman in every respect. I imagine no man 
has so few enemies, or is so universally esteemed. 
Throughout the South, all agree in pronouncing him 
to be as near perfection as man can be. He has none 
of the small vices, such as smoking, drinking, chew- 
ing or swearing, and his bitterest enemy never ac- 
cused him of any of the greater ones. He generally 
wears a well-worn long gray jacket, a high black felt 
hat, and blue trousers tucked into Wellington boots. 
I never saw him carry arms, and the only mark of his 
military rank are the three stars on his collar. He 
rides a handsome horse which is extremely well 
groomed. He, himself, is very neat in his dress and 
person, and in the most arduous marches he always 
looks smart and clean. 

"In the old Army he was always considered one 
of its best officers; and at the outbreak of these 
troubles he was lieutenant-colonel of the Second 
Cavalry. He was a rich man — ^but his fine estate 
was one of the first to fall into the enemy's hands. 
I believe he has never slept in a house since he has 
commanded the Virginian army, and he invariably 



304 



APPENDIX 



declines all offers of hospitality for fear the person 
offering it may afterwards get into trouble for hav- 
ing sheltered the rebel General." 



From Viscount Wolseley. 

"Office of Commander-in-Chief, 

"London, loth July, 1899. 
"My Dear General Sorrel : I have great pleas- 
ure in complying with your request, and hope Mrs. 
Sorrel will do me the honor of accepting the enclosed 
latest photograph I have had taken. 

"I am a collector of autograph letters, but I lack 
letters from the Confederate commanders. I am 
very glad to have your letter to add to my collection. 
If you happen to have any letters from the Southern 
generals that you could spare me I should esteem 
it a great favor. 

"Believe me to be, with a very keen and pleasant 
remembrance of all the kindness I received when in 
the Southern States, 

"Sincerely yours, 

"Wolseley. 
"To General Sorrel, 

"New York." 



Thanks of the Confederate Congress to Lieut enant- 
General James Longstreet and his Command. 

"Resolved by the Congress of the Confederate States 
of America. 

"That the thanks of Congress are due and hereby 
cordially tendered to Lieutenant-General James 



APPENDIX 305 

Longstreet and the officers and men of his com- 
mand for their patriotic services and brilHant 
achievements in the present war, sharing as they 
have, the arduous fatigues and privations of many 
campaigns in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
Georgia, and Tennessee, and participating in nearly 
every great battle fought in those States, the com- 
manding general ever displaying great ability, skill, 
and prudence in command, and the officers and men 
the most heroic bravery, fortitude, and energy in 
every duty they have been called upon to perform. 

"Resolved, That the President be requested to 
transmit a copy of the foregoing resolution to 
Lieutenant-General Longstreet for publication to 
his command. 

"Approved February 17, 1864." 



'/. Longstreet to Secretary of War. 

"Headquarters Near Chattanooga, 

"September 26th, 1863. 
"Hon. J. A. Seddon, Secretary of War. 

"Sir: May I take the liberty to advise you of 
our condition and our wants. On the 20th instant, 
after a very severe battle, we gained a complete and 
glorious victory — ^the most complete victory of the 
war, except perhaps the first Manassas. On the 
morning of the 21st General Bragg asked my opin- 
ion as toi our best course. I suggested at once to 
strike at Burnside and if he made his escape to march 
upon Rosecrans's communication in rear of Nash- 



APPENDIX 



ville. He seemed to adopt the suggestion and gave 
the order to march at four o'clock in the afternoon. 
The right wing of the army marched some eight or 
ten miles, my command following next day at day- 
light. I was halted at the crossing of the Chicka- 
mauga, and on the night of the 226. the army was 
ordered to march for Chattanooga, thus giving the 
enemy two days and a half to strengthen the forti- 
fications here already prepared for him by ourselves. 
Here we have remained under instructions that the 
enemy shall not be assaulted. To express my con- 
viction in a few words, our chief has done but one 
thing that he ought to have done since I joined his 
army — that was to order the attack upon the 20th. 
All other things that he has done he ought not to 
have done. I am convinced that nothing but the 
hand of God can save us and help us as long as we 
have our present commander. 

"Now to our wants. Can't you send us General 
Lee? The army in Virginia can operate defensively, 
while our operations here should be offensive, 
until we have recovered Tennessee, at all events. 

"We need some such great mind as General Lee's 
(nothing more) to accomplish this. You will be 
surprised that this army has neither organization 
nor mobility and I have doubts if this commander 
can give it to them. In an ordinary war I could 
serve without complaint under any one whom the 
Government might place in authority; but we have 
too much at stake in this to remain quiet under such 
distressing circumstances. Our most precious blood 
is now flowing in streams from the Atlantic to the 
Rocky Mountains and may yet be exhausted before 



APPENDIX 307 

we have succeeded. Then goes honor, treasure, and 
independence. When I came here I hoped to find 
our commander wilHng and anxious to do all things 
that would aid us in our great cause and ready to 
receive what aid he could get from his subordinates. 

'It seems that I was greatly mistaken. It seems 
that he cannot adopt and adhere to any plan or 
course whether of his own or some one else. 1 
desire to impress upon your mind that there is no 
exaggeration in these statements. On the contrary 
I have failed to express my convictions to the fullest 
extent. All that I can add without making this let- 
ter exceedingly long is to pray you to help us and 
speedily. 

"I remain, with the greatest respect, your most 
obedient servant, 

"J- LONGSTREET, 

''Lieutenant General/' 



Captain H. H. Perry, A. A. G., Sorrel's Brigade, 

writes of Grant's first demand for Lee's 

surrender at Appomattox. 

"the eventful night. 

"It was night, April 7th, 1865. We had crossed 
the river, near Farmville, and had taken up a posi- 
tion about, as near as I can remember, a mile from 
the crossing, which the Confederates had attempted 
to burn, but unsuccessfully. General Miles, com- 
manding a Federal brigade, made a mad attempt to 



308 APPENDIX 

throw the Confederates into confusion on their left 
by a flank movement (perhaps that was his pur- 
pose), but it was a very unfortunate move, for his 
lines were in a few minutes nearly cut to pieces and 
his brigade placed hors de combat. A furious picket 
firing and sharp-shooting began on both sides, while 
the wounded and dead Federals lay between the two 
lines. 

"Mahone's division was now the rearguard at 
this point of General Lee's army. General Lee's 
forces were reduced now to their minimum strength, 
but a fiercer, more determined body of men never 
lived. They simply waited for General Lee's orders. 

"About five o'clock p. m. a flag of truce appeared 
in front of General Sorrel's brigade (General 
Wright's old brigade), of which the writer of this 
account was the adjutant-general. A courier was 
sent to division headquarters to announce it. Colonel 
Tayloe, a splendid young Virginian, had been 
assigned temporarily to the command of General 
Sorrel's brigade. General Sorrel having been almost 
mortally wounded near Petersburg. In a short while 
Colonel Tayloe was ordered to send a staff officer 
to answer to the flag of truce. 

"The writer was assigned to this duty at the 
Confederate front lines. As the top of the earth- 
works was reached, a number of Federal sharp- 
shooters fired at me, and two balls passed through 
the uniform coat I wore, and one ball wounded a 
Confederate soldier in the hand, who had risen up 
with others from behind the works, out of curiosity 
to see what was going to take place. That ended 
the truce business for that afternoon. After night- 



APPENDIX 309 

fall and after everything on both sides had lapsed 
into silence, pickets were put in front of our lines 
about one hundred yards. Captain James W. 
English, one of the bravest, coolest, most faithful 
and vigilant officers in the Confederate Army, was 
in charge of the line in front of our brigade. I 
had selected him for the reason that I knew that he 
would not fail me if I depended on his courage and 
faith. Colonel Tayloe knew nothing of our com- 
mand or its officers, and the responsibility rested 
on me to select the right man in the crisis there 
was now upon us. We apprehended a night attack. 

"About nine o'clock at night, as soon as the moon 
was about to rise. Captain English reported that a 
flag of truce was again offered on the Federal lines 
on our front. It was reported again at our division 
headquarters and I was again sent out to answer 
it as before. I put on an army revolver, put aside 
my sword, and advanced about fifty yards from our 
pickets, halted, and called for the flag. Where I 
stood there were scattered around several Federal 
dead and wounded. 

"One of the latter asked me to do something for 
him. I told him I would very soon, making this 
promise only to encourage him, for I could really 
do nothing for lack of authority, as well as lack of 
means. I asked his name and was rather astonished 
when he said he was General Miles's adjutant-gen- 
eral and that his name was Boyd, as I now remember 
it. A response to my call in front took my attention, 
though I remember that the wounded officer said he 
had been shot through the thigh. 



310 APPENDIX 

"I advanced some distance and met a very hand- 
somely dressed Federal officer. We stepped in front 
of each other about seven or eight feet apart. I soon 
recognized the fact that my worn Confederate uni- 
form and slouch hat, even in the dim light, would 
not compare favorably with his magnificence; but 
as I am six feet high I drew myself up as proudly as I 
could, and put on the appearance as well as possible 
of being perfectly satisfied with my personal exter- 
ior. The officer spoke first, introducing himself as 
Gen. Seth Williams, of General Grant's staff. 

"After I had introduced myself, he felt in his 
side pocket for documents, as I thought, but the 
document was a very nice-looking silver flask, as 
well. as I could distinguish. He remarked that he 
hoped I would not think it was an unsoldierly cour- 
tesy if he offered me some very fine brandy. I will 
own up now that I wanted that drink awfully. 
Worn down, hungry and dispirited, it would have 
been a gracious godsend if some old Confederate 
and I could have emptied that flask between us in 
that dreadful hour of misfortune. But I raised 
myself about an inch higher, if possible, bowed and 
refused politely, trying to produce the ridiculous 
appearance of having feasted on champagne and 
pound-cake not ten minutes before, and that I had 
not the slightest use for so plebeian a drink as 'fine 
brandy.' He was a true gentleman, begged pardon, 
and placed the flask in his pocket again, without 
touching the contents in my presence. If he had 
taken a drink, and my Confederate olfactories had 
obtained a whiff of the odor of it, it is possible that I 
should have 'caved.' The truth is, I had not eaten two 



APPENDIX 311 

ounces in two days, and I had my coat-tail then full 
of corn, waiting to parch it as soon as opportunity 
might present itself. I did not leave it behind me 
because I had nobody I could trust it with. 

"As an excuse which I felt I ought to make for 
refusing his proffered courtesy, I rather haughtily 
said that I had been sent forward only to receive 
any communication that was offered and could not 
properly accept or offer any courtesies. In fact, 
if I had offered what I could it would have taken 
my corn. 

"He then handed to me a letter, which he said 
was from General Grant to General Lee, and asked 
that General Lee should get it immediately if pos- 
sible. I made no reply except to ask him if that 
was all we had to transact, or something to that 
effect. He said that was all. We bowed very pro- 
foundly to each other and turned away. 

"In twenty minutes after I got back in our lines, 
a Confederate courier riding a swift horse had 
placed in General Lee's hands the letter which was 
handed to me, the first demand for surrender of his 
devoted army. In an hour's time we were silently 
pursuing our way toward the now famous field of 
Appomattox. We marched all day of the 8th of 
April and slept in bivouac not more than three or 
four miles from Appomattox, where the demand 
was made again and was acceded to, and the Con- 
federacy of the South went down in defeat, but 
with glory. 

"We arrived on the field of Appomattox about 
9 o'clock on the 9th day of April, the day of capitu- 
lation. The negotiations lasted during that day. 



312 APPENDIX 

The general order from General Lee was read to 
the army on the loth of April. That is, as I remem- 
ber it, General Lee published his last order to his 
soldiers on that day. I sat down and copied it on 
a piece of Confederate paper, using a drum-head for 
a desk, the best I could do. I carried this copy to 
General Lee, and asked him to sign it for me. He 
signed it and I have it now. It is the best authority 
along with my parole that I can produce why, after 
that day, I no longer raised a soldier's hand for the 
South. There were tears in his eyes when he 
signed it for me, and when I turned to walk away 
there were tears in my own eyes. He was in all 
respects the greatest man that ever lived, and as an 
humble officer of the South, I thank Heaven that 
I had the honor of following him. 
"Waynesboro, Georgia, 1896.'' 



Some extracts from Colonel Freemantle's "Three 
Months in the Southern States." 

"GETTYSBURG — PICKETt's CHARGE. 

"I determined to make my way to General Long- 
street. It was then about 2.30. After passing Gen- 
eral Lee and his staff I rode on through the woods 
in the direction in which I had left Longstreet. I 
soon began to meet many wounded men returning 
from the front ; many of them asked in piteous tones 
the way to a doctor or an ambulance. The farther 
I got the greater became the number of the wounded. 



f 



APPENDIX 313 

Some were walking alone on crutches composed of 
two rifles, others were supported by men less badly 
wounded than themselves, and others were carried 
on stretchers by the ambulance corps ; but in no case 
did I see a sound man helping the wounded to the 
rear, unless he carried the red badge of the ambu- 
lance corps. I saw all this in much less time than 
it takes to write it, and although astonished to meet 
such vast numbers of wounded, I had not seen 
enough to give me an idea of the real extent of the 
mischief. 

"When I got close to General Longstreet I saw 
one of his regiments advancing through the woods 
in good order; so thinking I was in time to see the 
attack I remarked to the General that 7 wouldn't 
have missed this for anything.' Longstreet was 
seated at the top of a snake fence at the edge of the 
wood and looking perfectly calm and unperturbed. 
He replied: *The devil you wouldn't! I would 
liked to have missed it very much; weVe attacked § 
and been repulsed ; look there !' ^"'^^ 

"For the first time I then had a view of the open 
space between the two positions and saw it covered 
with Confederates slowly and sulkily returning to- 
ward us in small, broken parties under a heavy 
fire of artillery. The General told me that Pickett's 
division had succeeded in carrying the enemy's posi- 
tion and capturing the guns, but after remaining 
there some minutes it had been forced to retire. 
No person could have been more calm or self-pos- 
sessed than General Longstreet under these trying 
circumstances, aggravated as they now were by the 
movements of the enemy, who began to show a 



314 APPENDIX 

strong disposition to advance. I could now thor- 
oughly appreciate the term ^Bulldog/ which I had 
heard applied to him by the soldiers. ^ 

Difficulties seemed to make no other impression 
upon him than to make him a little more savage. 

*'Major Walton was the only officer with him 
when I came up — all the rest had been put into the 
charge. In a few minutes Major Latrobe arrived 
on foot, carrying his saddle, having just had 
his horse killed. Colonel Sorrel was also in the 
same predicament and Captain Goree's horse was 
wounded in the mouth. 

"The General was making the best arrangements 
in his power to resist the threatened advance, by 
advancing some artillery, rallying the stragglers. 

"I remember seeing a general come up to him and 
report that he was ^unable to bring up his men 
again.' Longstreet turned upon him and replied 
with some sarcasm, 'Very well, never mind, then. 
General, just let them remain where they are; the 
enemy's going to advance and it will spare you the 
trouble.' He asked for something to drink. I gave 
him some rum out of my silver flask, which I begged 
he would keep in remembrance of the occasion; he 
smiled, and to my great satisfaction accepted the 
memorial. 

If Longstreet' s conduct was admirable, that of 
General Lee was perfectly sublime. He was engaged 
in rallying and encouraging the broken troops, and 
was riding about a little in front of the wood, quite 
alone — the whole of his staff being engaged in a 
similar manner farther to the rear. His face, which 
is always placid and cheerful, did not show signs 



APPENDIX 315 

of the slightest disappointment, care, or annoyance ; 
and he was addressing every soldier he met, a few 
words of encouragement, such as: 'All this will 
come right in the end^ we'll talk it over afterwards,; 
but in the mean time all good men must rally. We 
want all good and true men just now,' etc. He 
spoke to all the wounded men that passed him, and 
the slightly wounded he exhorted *to bind up their 
hurts and take up a musket in this emergency.' Very 
few failed to answer his appeal, and I saw many 
badly wounded men take off their hats and cheer 
him. He said to me. This has been a sad day for 
us. Colonel, a sad day; but we can't expect always 
to gain victories.' " 



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